It was a sunny weekend, and I went for a walk in the park as usual, letting the tiredness of the week dissipate in the fragrance of the grass. Just walking leisurely, I suddenly saw a little girl sitting on a bench, holding a shabby rag doll in her arms, whispering to herself, and her eyes were empty.
I know this girl, her family lives upstairs from my house, and she is Ma Yuting, the daughter of the Ma family. I don't see her go out or play with her friends much on weekdays, and she is said to be an autistic child.
This time, I saw her sitting there alone, and I don't know if she ran out or was brought out by her family.
"Yuting, why are you here alone?" I tentatively walked over to greet her. She hugged the doll tightly, looking left and right, but she didn't dare to make eye contact with me, and she didn't answer, but her lips purred and she didn't know what she was muttering.
Just when I was embarrassed to think about whether it was time to leave, a woman hurriedly ran over and shouted "Yuting", which turned out to be Ma Yuting's mother. She explained the situation to me breathlessly, there is a little urgent matter to deal with at home, can you please ask me to take care of Yuting here for ten minutes.
I readily agreed.
Mom explained a few words and turned around and ran away. I sat down next to Yuting again, and she was still holding the doll and talking to herself. This time, though, I noticed that she was peeking at a nearby cake shop with a look of longing as if there was her favorite food there.
"Baby, I can buy you one if you want to eat. I followed her line of sight to a box of beautiful little cakes and asked her if she wanted them.
After a brief conversation with Yuting's mother, I learned that Yuting was diagnosed with autism two years ago. In recent years, there have indeed been more and more autistic children like Yuting.
In order to find out the truth, I interviewed Professor Li, a pediatric expert at a well-known hospital in Beijing.
First, the diagnostic criteria for autism are constantly improving and evolving. Previously, due to limitations in testing methods and recognition levels, many children with autism symptoms may have been excluded from the diagnostic criteria, resulting in underreporting.
As medical research advances, diagnostic criteria continue to improve, resulting in an increase in the number of cases detected.
Second, environmental pollution and life stress in modern society are increasing, which has a negative impact on the health of pregnant women and children. For example, chemicals in the air and water can cause different degrees of damage to children's brain development.
The health problems caused by this environment are partly responsible for the increase in the incidence of autism.
Thirdly, with the improvement of residents' health concept and living standards, parents pay more attention to timely examination of abnormal reactions in the process of children's growth. This has led directly to an increase in cases of autism.
False negatives and delayed detections that may have existed in the past are decreasing.
Through Professor Li's analysis, I understand that there are objective reasons for the increase in the number of autistic patients, and some of these deeper causes need to be solved by the joint efforts of the whole society.
We want to create a safer and more livable environment for children to grow up healthy and happy.
When Ma Yuting's mother came back to take her away, I saw that Yuting took the initiative to say "thank you" to me, and my mother and I were very surprised. Through this opportunity, I gained a deeper understanding of certain behavioral traits of children with autism.
Later, I looked through some cases and literature on autism, and most experts pointed out that children with autism usually exhibit some of the following characteristics:
First, there are obvious deficiencies in the ability to express. Whether it's verbal expression or body language, children with autism struggle to accurately convey their thoughts, which is often misconstrued as disrespectful or impolite.
In more severe cases, the child may develop muteness that does not speak at all.
Second, children with autism generally do not like to make eye contact with others, even when they look at their parents. This instinctive avoidance deprives them of an important means of communicating and understanding with the outside world.
Third, it is difficult to actively interact with others. Ordinary children like to play and crave attention, while autistic children are more Xi to staying alone quietly, not knowing how to share, and only mechanical imitation when participating in group games.
Fourth, interests and hobbies are very narrow and single, and there are many repetitive stereotyped behaviors, such as endlessly spinning in circles, jumping, etc. This stems from their instinctive need to feel psychologically safe through specific actions.
Fifth, most children with autism are backward in intelligence, learning Xi and life ability, and it is difficult for them to master the common sense and skills of their peers, so they need to focus on counseling and help.
Therefore, as people around us, we must learn to understand and take care of the special needs of autistic children, and be more patient and less misunderstood, so that they can live a happier and more comfortable life.
Through this encounter with Ma Yuting, I saw the inner desire of an autistic child, and also realized that as a parent and society, I need to do more.
Professor Li said that autism, as a developmental disorder, cannot be cured, but through scientific and systematic early intervention, it can help children open their hearts and get as close to the life of ordinary people as possible.
The key is for parents to achieve early detection and early treatment.
Specifically, parents need to pay attention to the signs of their children's physical and mental development, and take their children to professional institutions for examination and training in time once they find abnormalities such as speech and communication disorders, eye avoidance, social isolation, and repetitive behaviors.
Studies at home and abroad have proven that intensive behavioral therapy is best performed during the golden period of 3-6 years old.
At the same time, families and schools should create an inclusive and encouraging environment for children with autism. Through interactive games, children develop their speech, imitation and social skills, gradually reduce the appearance of stereotyped behaviors, and let children experience the joy of group life.
This requires the joint efforts of family, teachers and classmates.
In addition, all sectors of the community should also pay attention to the needs of the autistic community. For example, some public places are now ready to set up "barrier-free areas" where children with autism can move around undisturbed; Some companies also have flexible hiring policies to provide jobs for adults with autism.
These initiatives give hope to children and families.
Therefore, creating opportunities and hope for children with autism is something that each of us can do. A warm and inclusive world will give more "star children" the opportunity to shine their own unique light.
Professor Li said that according to domestic and international research reports, about 15% to 20% of autistic patients can significantly reduce their symptoms or even be cured after systemic treatment.
These patients can work and live like ordinary people, and some of them have obtained higher academic qualifications and have made outstanding contributions in scientific research, art and other fields.
Although the remaining autistic patients cannot be completely cured, the vast majority of them can also learn to Xi their self-care ability in daily life, reduce serious behavioral abnormalities, and integrate into the social community through special education.
For example, participate in rehabilitation training regularly, control emotions, use assistive tools, etc. As long as they find the right job, they can still find employment and even start a business.
Of course, this is inseparable from the help and care of family members, teachers and even the whole society. We want to create more opportunities for them to feel the warmth of this world.
In any case, life is precious. As the saying goes, "There is only one disability in this world, and that is the heart of indifference."