In Pics: Service center becomes place of hope for autistic children in NW China

Chen Zhifang (C) presents cognitive training for an autistic child at Starlight Special Children Service Center in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, March 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

Chen Zhifang is the founder of the Starlight Special Children Service Center in Xining. Founded in 2015, the service center is a non-profit public welfare organization that provides early rehabilitation training and intervention for children with autism, intellectual disabilities and language disorders. Currently, 132 autistic children are receiving various rehabilitation trainings here.

Over the past eight years, the service center has become a place of hope for many autistic children and their families.

According to the different cognitive, expressive and physical abilities of each child, the service center provides individualized education methods. For now, many children here are able to go to shops, take buses and even go back to school.

"As a parent of an autistic child, I hope to pass on my experience from my child's rehabilitation training to more people, and to help more autistic children fit into society," Chen said.

Chen Zhifang (L) and autistic children go to lunch at Starlight Special Children Service Center in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, March 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

Chen Zhifang (L) presents cognitive training for an autistic child at Starlight Special Children Service Center in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, March 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

Chen Zhifang (R) presents expression training for an autistic child at Starlight Special Children Service Center in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, March 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

Chen Zhifang watches as children take a class at Starlight Special Children Service Center in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, March 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

Chen Zhifang (R) presents physical training for an autistic child at Starlight Special Children Service Center in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, March 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

Chen Zhifang watches as autistic children take a class at Starlight Special Children Service Center in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, March 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

Chen Zhifang (L) presents rehabilitation training for an autistic child at Starlight Special Children Service Center in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, March 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

Chen Zhifang (R) presents cognitive training for an autistic child at Starlight Special Children Service Center in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, March 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

Chen Zhifang (R) presents rehabilitation training for an autistic child at Starlight Special Children Service Center in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, March 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)