Today marks the 6th World Autism Awareness Day. There are 67 million people with autism around the world. In China, more than 10 million people have been diagnosed with autism. More than anyone else, parents of children with autism want their children to live a normal life.
Chen Lianquan is a brick factory worker in the town of Zhongli in east China’s Zhejiang Province.
In order to treat his autistic son, Chen Lin, he took him to Zhejiang from his hometown, Pu’an in Southwest China’s Guizhou Province.
Almost all of his 2,000- yuan-income per month is spent on seeing doctors for his son.
Chen Lianquan, Father of Autistic Child, said, "I work here just to treat my son. I hope he will get better. Otherwise, he will not find a wife when he grows up."
Chen Lianquan has three children. His only son suffers from autism.
Expensive therapy and rehabilitation costs are almost unbearable for his family.
Chen Chao, Chen Lianquan’S Co-Worker, said, "The boy is in bad shape. He was diagnosed when he was four-years-old. His family condition is not good. They have spent lots of money to treat his son."
Chen Lin’s illness is very serious, and he has severely self-destructive behavior.
Before coming to Zhejiang, Chen Lianquan treated him in Guiyang and Kunming, two big cities in southwest China.
After learning of the story, China’s Working Committee for the Care of the Next Generation and the Shanghai Children’s Health Foundation brought his son to the Shanghai Hongci Children’s Hospital for treatment.
Jiang Yanqing, Doctor, Shanghai Hongci Children’S Hospital, said, "The psychotherapy method we have used has achieved relatively good results. Many children have noticeably improved. As a doctor, I am happy to see patients’ recoveries and their parent’s smiles."
After a period of treatment, Chen Lin’s self-destructive behavior has gradually been reduced.
In the past, his parents could not understand what he was saying, but now they can.
Chen Lin can also play with his younger sister now.
Peng Qiaodi, Deputy Chief, Shanghai Children’S Health Foundation, said, "I hope people pay more attention to these children. Helping one child is helping a family."
In 2012, the Shanghai Children’s Health Foundation supported more than 20 families like Chen Lianquan’s.
They hope more and more patients can receive better treatment.