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Autism in China: Progress and challenges in addressing the needs of children and families

ABSTRACT Over the past decade there has been a substantial increase in research addressing the needs of children in China who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Despite the fact the country has the largest educational system in the world and has numerous policies to ensure all children’s rights to an education, opportunities are limited for children with disabilities. Recent revisions to China’s Regulations Educating Students with Disabilities that mandate inclusion (www.cdpf.org/cn/english/law/content/2008-04/10/content_84949.htm) may help, however, effective education requires more than a policy and a desk in a classroom; it requires thoughtful plans, teacher preparation, adequate resource allocation, and administrative commitment. This article describes the progress that China has made in addressing the needs of children with ASD, and the challenges it still faces. Whereas some local governments have recently increased funding to families caring for a child with ASD, most have not. Hopefully, the fact the central government has invested millions of yuan in an epidemiological study on autism and is participating in one of the most ambitious investigations ever conducted on the genetics of autism is a signal that autism is now a priority of China’s and greater resources will be provided to ensure affordable treatment and appropriate educational options.