WUHAN, Aug. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Children suffering from
autism, a brain disorder, have been rising rapidly in China and now there are
altogether 1.8 million children with autism across the country.
Bai Xueguang, a professor of neurology with the People's Hospital of Hubei Province, based in Wuhan City, the
provincial capital, said on average he had five to six children seeking medical
treatment with him a month. During summer vacation the number has been higher,
Bai, who is also vice-chairman of the Association of
Rehabilitation for Children with Autism of Wuhan City, estimated the number of
children with autism was growing at an annual rate of 20 percent in the country,
even higher than the world average of 14 percent.
Autism is a complex developmental disorder best known
for impairing a child's ability to communicate and interact with others.
Sufferers, mostly boys, develop obvious symptoms of the disease between one and
three years old.
Professor Bai believes that children with autism
should seek medical treatment between 2 and 12. With proper medical treatmentat
right time, 20 percent to 30 percent of the sufferers with the incurable brain
disease will be able to support themselves independently when they grow up.