Autism's hard inclusion into Chinese classes

FEARS OF EXCLUSION

About one percent of the Chinese population has been diagnosed with autism, while in the United States, 1 in every 68 has autism spectrum disorder.

A lack of special education teachers, however, is the biggest problem in China hindering efforts to enroll autistic children into regular schools.

It was not until 2000 that the first college for special education was opened at Beijing Union University. Despite this, many mainstream schools still find it difficult to hire a special education graduate.

"There is a severe scarcity of special education teachers, especially as China pushes for inclusion," Zhang said. "Other teachers should also receive special education training."

Zhang fears the inclusion campaign may end up as a show at some Chinese schools. "Some autistic students are seated in classrooms just to demonstrate the school's inclusiveness, but teachers and other students pay little attentions to them. They are still not included," she said.

Such fears were also voiced by Ji's mother. She watches her son in every class and is on standby to stop him from "disturbing other kids." She is happy to assist the teachers, other students and their parents.

"I hope it will make them like me more. So they may be nicer to my son," she said.