China to expand autism support with early screening, special education programs

BEIJING -- China will step up support for people with autism over the next five years, expanding early screening and intervention services for children and increasing the availability of specialized education programs, an official said on Monday.

The measures are part of a broader effort to improve services for people with disabilities over the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), which includes a nationwide initiative to provide support across the entire life cycle of people with autism, covering early diagnosis, proper rehabilitation and education, Zhou Changkui, chairperson of the Board of Executive Directors of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, told a news conference.

To that end, China will implement standardized autism screening and intervention services for children aged 0 to 6, ensure that each city-level region has the capacity to provide rehabilitation assistance for children with autism, and support provincial capitals and larger cities in building special education schools dedicated to children with autism, Zhou said.

China unveiled its plan for the protection and development of persons with disabilities during the 15th Five-Year Plan period earlier this month, listing full life-cycle support for people with autism as a special initiative in the national plan.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors.

The disorder remains a global challenge, with its causes still not fully understood and no widely effective medication available. Rehabilitation intervention is currently believed to be the only treatment approach supported by evidence, and early intervention — for children aged under 6 — is considered critical, because of the greater brain plasticity and stronger potential for developmental improvement.

China currently has more than 13 million people with autism, with the condition accounting for the largest share of mental disabilities in the country, according to official figures.

The country has introduced free education from preschool through high school for children with autism from families facing financial difficulties. As of April this year, the country has designated 61 pilot zones for special education reform, and established 17 special education schools dedicated to children with autism nationwide.