Shuwei's mother knew he was different the moment she searched for his eyes, but his did not search back. Then came the words that still echo in her memory. "Auntie, why can't he do anything? Is he stupid?" She told herself, "Children's words carry no ill will."

Shuwei's mother doesn't sound bitter. She's telling the story of her 26-year-old son, who still lives with her. He plays piano, but the rhythm of their day is not set by the tinkling keys. It is set by his condition – autism.

In China, children like Shuwei are called "children of the stars" – far away, shining alone, often unreachable. Each one has their own light, even if they don't follow typical social patterns.

What happens when the stars grow up?

A poetic term can easily lull society into thinking their needs vanish once they reach adulthood. 

Today, a whole host of specialists support people on the spectrum trying to find their place in the world. 

One of these stars is Shuwei, and this is his story.

Executive producer: Zhang Jingwen

Producer: Yang Sha

Directors: Li Yue, Chen Hongyu, Wang Yuxin

Video editor: Li Yue

Videographers: Liu Ning, Guo Huakang

Cover photo: Jia Jieqiong