Shenzhen makes efforts to help autistic youths integrate into society, chase dreams

This combo photo taken on March 22, 2024 shows Wu Huajian (L) wiping a car and Xu Jilun (2nd R) washing a car with a colleague, at a car wash center in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. Wu Huajian, 19, and Xu Jilun, 30, worked at the car wash center since July 2023. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian) 

A total of 15 employees with mental disorder are currently working here. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams.

Over recent years, autistic children in China have gained increasing attention and care. In 2022, China's National Health Commission released a trial protocol on autism screening and intervention services for children under the age of six to improve related services. The country has also released a work plan for improving special education for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

Autistic youths Wu Huajian (L) and Xu Jilun, pose for a photo at a car wash center in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 22, 2024. Wu Huajian, 19, and Xu Jilun, 30, worked at the car wash center since July 2023. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Autistic youths Huang Xuanning (L) and Cao Hongyi work at an industrial park in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 21, 2024. Huang Xuanning, 24, and Cao Hongyi, 27, joined the industrial park in September 2023. They are responsible for loading vending machines in the factory area, including handling and placing snacks and drinks. Now they are basically qualified for the job with the help of team partners. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Dai Jinyu, a 29-year-old autistic youth, works at Shenzhen Autism Society in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 27, 2024. Dai Jinyu joined the organization in October 2018, mainly responsible for scanning and copying files and indoor disinfection. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Autistic youths Liu Hanyang (R) and Peng Jingrui, make pastry at a bakery in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 21, 2024. Liu Hanyang, 25, and Peng Jingrui, 23, work as bakers at the bakery since June 2023. In addition to making bread and snacks with their teacher, they can also work as cashiers and deliverymen. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Zhao Ruixi)

Autistic youths Yuan Anqi (R) and Qiu Minyi, pose for a photo at a bakery in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 21, 2024. Yuan Anqi, 22, and Qiu Minyi, 28, are cashiers at the bakery since June 2023. With the help of their teacher, they could also make bread and cakes sometimes. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Zhao Ruixi)

Autistic youth Guan Hao poses for a photo at the staff dining hall of a hotel in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 27, 2024. Guan Hao, 23, joined the hotel in June 2021 as a waiter of the staff dining hall. Like other employees, he now works eight hours a day and is responsible for placing cleaned plates, cleaning up garbage and the hall. In the eyes of his leaders and colleagues, Guan is now a good employee. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Zhao Ruixi)

Autistic youth Guan Hao works at the staff dining hall of a hotel in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 27, 2024. Guan Hao, 23, joined the hotel in June 2021 as a waiter of the staff dining hall. Like other employees, he now works eight hours a day and is responsible for placing cleaned plates, cleaning up garbage and the hall. In the eyes of his leaders and colleagues, Guan is now a good employee. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Pan Yikai, a 23-year-old autistic youth, works at a bookstore in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 20, 2024. He has been working part-time at the bookstore since May 2022 for 2 to 3 hours a day, responsible for wiping and arranging book shelves and cleaning the floor. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Zhao Ruixi)

Autistic youths Huang Xuanning (R) and Cao Hongyi pose for a photo at an industrial park in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 21, 2024. Huang Xuanning, 24, and Cao Hongyi, 27, joined the industrial park in September 2023. They are responsible for loading vending machines in the factory area, including handling and placing snacks and drinks. Now they are basically qualified for the job with the help of team partners. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Zhao Ruixi)

Autistic youth Ran Yulong, poses for a photo at a supermarket in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 22, 2024. Ran Yulong, 19, works ninety-six hours a month at the supermarket since September 2023. His main work is to sort out the goods in the fresh fruit and vegetable area and check the shelf life of the products. He shopped at the supermarket since he was a child and now became an employee here. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Autistic youth Huang Xuanning works at an industrial park in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 21, 2024. Huang Xuanning, 24, joined the industrial park in September 2023. He is responsible for loading vending machines in the factory area, including handling and placing snacks and drinks. Now he is basically qualified for the job with the help of team partners. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Autistic youth Ran Yulong, works at a supermarket in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 22, 2024. Ran Yulong, 19, works ninety-six hours a month at the supermarket since September 2023. His main work is to sort out the goods in the fresh fruit and vegetable area and check the shelf life of the products. He shopped at the supermarket since he was a child and now became an employee here. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Autistic youths Yuan Anqi (L) and Qiu Minyi, work at a bakery in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 21, 2024. Yuan Anqi, 22, and Qiu Minyi, 28, are cashiers at the bakery since June 2023. With the help of their teacher, they could also make bread and cakes sometimes. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Zhao Ruixi)

Autistic youths Huang Xuanning (Front) and Cao Hongyi work at an industrial park in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 21, 2024. Huang Xuanning, 24, and Cao Hongyi, 27, joined the industrial park in September 2023. They are responsible for loading vending machines in the factory area, including handling and placing snacks and drinks. Now they are basically qualified for the job with the help of team partners. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Zhao Ruixi)

Autistic youths Liu Hanyang (R) and Peng Jingrui, pose for a photo at a bakery in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 21, 2024. Liu Hanyang, 25, and Peng Jingrui, 23, work as bakers at the bakery since June 2023. In addition to making bread and snacks with their teacher, they can also work as cashiers and deliverymen. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Pan Yikai, a 23-year-old autistic youth, works at a bookstore in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 20, 2024. He has been working part-time at the bookstore since May 2022 for 2 to 3 hours a day, responsible for wiping and arranging book shelves and cleaning the floor. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Dai Jinyu, a 29-year-old autistic youth, poses for a photo at Shenzhen Autism Society in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 27, 2024. Dai Jinyu joined the organization in October 2018, mainly responsible for scanning and copying files and indoor disinfection. This Tuesday marks the 17th World Autism Awareness Day. In south China's Shenzhen, some autistic youth, who were called "children of the stars," have integrated into society and are chasing their dreams. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)