Special education lights up disabled lives

China is determined that young people with a range of conditions should not miss out on valuable lessons. Huang Yan, Yao Jianfeng and Cai Xiangxin report from Shenyang for Xinhua.

Teng Huaiqing, 18, and his mother, He Li, 44, have been school desk mates for five years.

Teng, who has autism, first uttered the word "mom" at the age of 6. He is a student at the Fengcheng Special Education School in the city of Dandong in the northeastern province of Liaoning.

"He was very clever, but silent," He Li said. When Teng was about 2 and a half, his parents sensed that something might be wrong because he was still unable to speak.

The boy was brought to Shenyang, the provincial capital, for an examination, where he was diagnosed with autism.

Not knowing much about the disorder, Teng's family thought his condition would improve as he grew up. As a result, they missed the optimum time for rehabilitation training.

When Teng reached the age when most children start school, his parents tried to sign him up at two primary schools, but neither would accept him.

"They suggested we come here (Fengcheng)," He Li recalled.

It only takes her 10 minutes to reach the school by bicycle from her home, but she had no idea it existed until her son enrolled there.

Founded in 1959, Fengcheng is a boarding school that provides social adaptation rehabilitation and vocational training for people with conditions such as mental disabilities, cerebral palsy and autism.

China has about 85 million people with various disabilities, including physical conditions. The number is roughly equivalent to the population of Germany.

Following two years of rehabilitation training at Fengcheng, Teng was able to attend academic classes. When the head teacher noticed that the boy was emotionally unstable, she suggested that his parents accompany him.

"I've learned things every day over the past five years as my son's desk mate. Not only does he learn, but I learn a lot, too," He Li said.

Back home, she continues to help her son with rehabilitation and teaching techniques, using the knowledge she learns in school.