Chen Siqi vankochensq@163.com ENTERING the Shenzhen Kunlun Red Star ice hockey club in Longgang District on an October evening, you may see a group of children, all donning helmets, gleefully play on the rink. Some of them joined the queue alongside their little coaches, while others held onto the hands of their instructors or ventured out to explore the rink on their own. It is hard to believe they are autistic children from the “Not Alone Ice Hockey Team,” a charity program that enables autistic children to skate on ice, thereby raising awareness and understanding in society about these extraordinary individuals. Amidst the lively atmosphere, a mother surnamed Xu kept a watchful eye on her son as he skated across the ice. Occasionally, she would make eye contact with him while engaging in conversations with other parents. “If this event continues in the future, we’ll most certainly be here again,” Xu told Shenzhen Daily. “My son is really into ice sports.” Xu’s son, Xiaoai, falls under the L2 category of the autism spectrum disorder, which represents a relatively severe level of impairment. Since his diagnosis when he was 1 year old, Xu and her family have tirelessly explored various methods to support his development over the past seven years. Ever since Xiaoai started participating in ice sports training, changes have taken place in him. “Participating in the sports has made me realize that my son is capable of doing something more than I imagined,” Xu said. “I think the program has benefited both my son and me, making us feel supported and encouraged by so many people. It has given us a sense of optimism for the future.” Tailored for autistic kids Autism spectrum disorders encompass a group of developmental disabilities that result in significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. Children with autism are often called “children of the stars” because they like to keep to themselves just like the unreachable celestial bodies. Globally, over 70 million people are affected by autism, according to the U.N., with China reporting more than 10 million cases in 2019. The “Not Alone Ice Hockey Team” program, initiated by the Longgang District Ice Hockey Association, has thrived for four years, providing over 50 autistic children with an opportunity to engage in ice sports activities and fostering their integration into a cooperative group setting. Zhou Song, president of the association, said the establishment of the “Not Alone Ice Hockey Team” aimed to help autistic children adapt into society with the help of ice sports, emphasizing on teamwork. Although being an active part of the community might not have been the first choice for these children, parents and instructors have observed remarkable changes in them throughout the training. According to Xu, initially, her son was hesitant to interact with coaches, feeling uncomfortable with people touching him on ice. But the joy of gliding across the ice and the cold air seemed to cheer him up. “Now, he willingly communicates with them and follows their instructions.” It was the third year for a parent surnamed Luo to take his 6-year-old son to sign up for the program. Now the boy can skate independently without difficulties, even asking his father to film his accomplishments. Witnessing this positive change filled Luo with great joy. “The process of repeated falls and picking himself up has helped him cultivate resilience and perseverance. Moreover, he finds tremendous joy in these activities,” Luo said. Qi Xueting, the team’s instructor and former leader of the national women’s ice hockey team, said: “These children may need a greater sense of security, particularly when they skate, since it’s different from walking on land. Building a connection with them was not easy at first. However, through constant communication, they began to trust us.” “When they finally feel comfortable enough to reach out their hands to us, I think we can call it a success,” Qi said. Govt. support According to the Shenzhen Disabled Persons Federation, the city recorded over 5,700 autistic individuals, with those aged 0-18 years old accounting for over 90%. Shenzhen subsidizes eligible families with autistic children with up to nearly 60,000 yuan (US$8,200) each year, as per the federation. The city spent 310 million yuan on rehabilitation of children with disabilities in 2021, benefiting approximately 9,500 children. Of the total number of 200 rehabilitation institutes across the city, 100 provide services for children with autism. Over the past five years, the city’s total expenditure on supporting people with disabilities has reached 623 million yuan, benefiting around 134,000 individuals, according to official data. | 