Volkswagen is driving down autism stigma

Volkswagen Finance China, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Financial Services AG, will host more interactive events to help autistic children better communicate.

This is part of the company's ongoing effort to raise people's awareness about autistic children in China, according to the its executive.

The Beijing-based firm recently organized an event at the China Science and Technology Museum to help autistic children explore the world of science and technology.

Accompanied by volunteers, 20 autistic children aged 4 and 5 watched an IMAX movie titled African Safari at the museum's dome cinema to enjoy the scenery of the continent and its animals.

The one-day event also gave these autistic children a chance to play with other children at the museum.

"He can recognize all kinds of dinosaurs and draw a dinosaur in two minutes," said Jiang Jing, the mother of a 4-year-old autistic boy, while her son and other kids played with a dinosaur model.

"It is rare for him to actively talk to strangers," added Jiang, whose son was diagnosed with autism at 2 and did not even know how to say "mom" and "dad".

Autistic children are often called "children from the stars", as they seem to live in another world due to their lack of language and social skills, as well as emotional reaction to stimuli.

Volkswagen's program, Blue Starry Sky, has launched various activities including art classes, exploring Shanghai Disneyland and professional volunteer training in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu in 2016.

"Four similar events will be held this year in Beijing and Shanghai to bring love and care to these 'children from the stars'," said Joern Kurzrock, CEO of Volkswagen Finance China.

According to a report released by the China Philanthropy Research Institute, about 1.64 million children in China are autistic. The real number is expected to be higher due to the social stigma attached to the illness.

Caused by both genetic and environmental factors, autism affects about 1 percent of the world's population, according to the World Health Organization.

Currently, there is no cure for autism and working parents can only resort to relatives or rehabilitation centers to look after their children.

Caring for children with autism can also be a financial burden.

Jiang said her son is allergic to soybean, and the special soybean source he needs is six times as expensive as the ordinary one.

"Going to the rehabilitation center costs around 6,000 to 7,000 yuan ($923 to 1,076) per month, and as my kid grows older, I need to consider kindergarten options," she said.

Jiang fears that her son will be discriminated against at the cheaper public kindergarten near her home, yet she needs to pay ver 7,000 yuan a month for the inclusive ones for disabled children far away from her home.

"It is simply too expensive," said the 35-year-old woman, with tears in her eyes.

"I was told that we can get a disabled person's certificate for my boy, which can get us a monthly subsidy of over 3,000 yuan. But my kid is not disabled. He is just different and he can get better," she added.

Established in 2004, the company provides financial services to Volkswagen Group brands, including Audi, Skoda and Porsche.

Its main business includes retail finance, wholesale finance, after-sales services, extended warranty, and financial leasing for new cars and used cars.

Zou Shuo contributed to this story.

(China Daily USA 10/04/2017 page16)