The Little Turtle children’s services center in Shenyang provides crucial support for the education and development of children with autism. In the summer of 2014, Zhao Yue’s five-year-old autistic son, Lun Lun, spoke the word “grandpa” for the first time, addressing a family member. Teachers at the Little Turtle center worked with him for three years, teaching him basic life skills to prepare him for a special education school. Today, at 16, Lun Lun has gained enough independence to go to the cinema by himself.
Over the past 18 years, Little Turtle has grown from a small classroom into a large center with 54 teachers, supporting over 300 children each year. Through activities such as farm visits, theater trips, and playground outings, children develop essential social skills. In addition to government initiatives, NGOs like One Foundation play a significant role in supporting autistic individuals by training teachers and providing financial assistance. In Shenyang, rehabilitation subsidies of 24,000 yuan per year are provided for autistic children under four, while those aged 4-10 receive 18,000 yuan annually.
Volunteers also contribute to autism support efforts. Liu Zetong, a student at Zhengzhou University, has been volunteering with a running group for autistic individuals, helping them improve their physical and social skills. Efforts like his show that supporting people with autism is not just a responsibility of families but a shared duty of the entire society.