China to Expand Autism Support with Early Screening

China will increase support for people with autism over the next five years, expanding screening and early intervention services for children and improving the availability of special education programmes, an official said on Monday. The measures are part of a broader effort to enhance services for people with disabilities during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). This includes a national initiative to provide full life-cycle support for people with autism, covering early diagnosis, appropriate rehabilitation, and education, Zhou Changkui, chairman of the Executive Board of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF), told a press conference. To this end, China will implement standardised autism screening and intervention services for children aged 0-6. This includes ensuring that every city-level area has the capacity to provide rehabilitation assistance for children with autism, and supporting provincial capitals and major cities in building special education schools for children with autism, Zhou said. Earlier this month, China unveiled its plan for the protection and development of people with disabilities during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, listing full life-cycle support for people with autism as a special initiative in the national plan. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by difficulties in social interaction, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviours. The disorder remains a global challenge, with its causes still not fully understood and no widely effective cure available. Current rehabilitation interventions are believed to be the only evidence-based treatment approach, and early intervention for children under six is considered crucial due to greater brain plasticity and stronger potential for developmental improvement. Currently, China has more than 13 million people with autism, with the condition accounting for the largest proportion among other mental disabilities in the country, according to official data. The country has introduced free education from preschool to senior high school for children with autism from families facing financial difficulties. As of April this year, the country had established 61 pilot zones for special education reform and set up 17 special education schools for children with autism nationwide.