Autism Sociology Research Article

The Full Story

The Origin and Reasons Behind Autism Formation:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disability caused by a malfunction in the brain. There could be many reasons why this happens; one of the reasons could be a genetic condition. People with ASD can vary greatly, but the result of it could be seen in actions, behavior, communication, and many more aspects. People can get diagnosed from an early age, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "usually a diagnosis at age 2 by a professional could be considered reliable." However, many individuals are diagnosed much later, for example, as adults.

The Environment and Focus Between Autism Centers in China and Canada:

From the centers I have visited in Canada and China, I can spot many similarities and differences. In Canada, the Clement's Center contains an upstairs area for children under three years old, where they receive one-on-one help. There is also another section for adults with autism, covering various age groups. In China, the Star Hope Autism School focuses solely on students from kindergarten to grade 6. The main idea is to help students adapt to the school environment and hopefully reintegrate into the public school system. It seems harder to establish centers for autistic adults in China due to the immense population and the difficulty in affording help for autistic adults. Consequently, many adults end up living with their parents and family members and give up on finding a job.

Finding a Job in Society for Autistic People:

During my visit to the Clement's Center, I noticed that autistic adults were able to work in their own bakery. The bakery operates within the center, and the adults bake cookies and other pastries to sell, earning a profit. This initiative has sparked great hope as it brings sustainable income to families and the center. Having a job provides the autistic minority with the potential to gain financial independence, aiding their integration into society. However, at the autistic school in China, the founder told me that there is still a big gap to improve regarding the work environment for autistic people. The large population in big cities such as Beijing contributes to obstacles in finding a job. There are many young and able-bodied people currently unemployed, leading to a plethora of options when it comes to recruiting workers.

The Family Aspect of Autistic People:

Family plays a significant role in the development of autistic children, where a healthy and safe environment can stimulate improvements and encourage differences. However, the cost, both financial and time-wise, is significant for many families. A balance is essential for families, but the reality is that a solution may not yet be found. At the Clement's Center, there seems to be more freedom among autistic adults, as they are able to use public transportation independently and spend the entire day in the center. Conversely, at the autistic school in China, parents are required to wait outside for their children as they are younger. Both the Canadian and Chinese communities require improvements in how they treat this minority group. There are still many misconceptions surrounding this group, making it difficult for autistic people to safely gain freedom from their families.