'Children of the stars': A teacher's 17-year journey shepherding students with autism

Roller skating has been one of the most popular courses for students with autism at the Liaoyang Special Education School in Liaoyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province.

The students regard it as a way of having fun at school. However, for Li Ziwei, the teacher who launched the course at the school several years ago, the sport is more than just playtime. It is a sensory integration therapy activity for autistic children that can help them focus and behave better and lower their anxiety.

"Roller skating can improve their balance and limb coordination so that they can also be more brave," Li told China Media Group (CMG).

However, the school's physical education teachers were very surprised when they first heard that Li would teach these autistic students roller skating. In their eyes, some children with autism may not be able to walk steadily, let alone move on wheels. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills and social interactions.

Li insisted, and her approach worked. Her students not only overcame their fear of trying new sports but also won over 20 prizes in provincial and national Special Olympics competitions.

"We were surprised, or shocked, by the outcome, which also gave us physical education (PE) teachers a lot of inspiration and confidence," said Liu Peng, a PE teacher at the school. He added that Li is the fastest runner among all female teachers in the school since she always runs alongside the students who first try the sport.

"These children with autism are like snails. What I do every day is 'walking' with these little snails," said Li. We walk slowly, but I can also enjoy the scenery that others can't enjoy in a hurry."

In addition to sports, Li has been trying multiple methods to help autistic students at the special education school explore their potential. Currently, they can learn drawing, drumming, and even the traditional Chinese performance art kuaiban, or clapper talk.

When Li started to work at this special education school 17 years ago, few children with autism were receiving education at their campus since none of the teachers knew how to go about it.

"Li thought children with autism should enjoy education opportunities like their peers, so she volunteered to teach them," said Mao Tong, headmaster of the school.

Challenges

Mao supported Li's idea, and they opened the first class for autistic children in 2009. The school now has 10 classes for autistic children.

However, as the number of students grows, Li has met countless unexpected problems during the process.

"I get hurt a lot. I've got, like, 100 wounds on my hands," said Li, recalling an incident when a student hit her in the face with a chair.

"Actually, I think about giving up every day, especially when these incidents happen," said Li. "But I drop the idea as soon as they come and say hi to me."

'Children of the stars'

Children with autism are usually called "children of the stars" in China because they appear to have their own world. They can exhibit unconventional emotional reactions, language abilities or social skills, and few of them can take care of themselves.

This year's World Autism Awareness Day falls on Tuesday. Activities worldwide have moved beyond raising awareness to promoting acceptance and appreciation of autistic people and their contributions to society.

A report on autism education showed that in 2019, there were more than 10 million people with an autism spectrum disorder in China, among whom about 2 million were children aged under 12. Many therapeutic programs have been launched in China to provide targeted training for children and adults with autism. These help them develop their strengths and social skills.

For instance, in Li's special education school, more than 300 students with autism have received education during the past 15 years. More young teachers are also joining Li, helping share responsibilities and improve teaching methods.

"My son can take the bus by himself. He can go to and from school by himself. He can also cook some simple dishes," said a student's mother. "I am so grateful to Li."