普教校门打开：孤独症机构去向何方？

Core Viewpoint - The situation for children with autism is improving as mainstream schools open their doors, providing families with more options, but challenges remain in integrating these children into public educational institutions [2][3][4]. Group 1: Current State of Autism Education - The prevalence of autism in China is approximately 0.7%, with over 10 million individuals affected, including 3 to 5 million children aged 0-14 [4]. - There is a significant shortage of qualified rehabilitation teachers for autism, with only about 1000 certified professionals available to serve approximately 2500 children each [5][6]. - The survival of autism institutions is critical as they play a key role in the rehabilitation ecosystem for affected children [6]. Group 2: Challenges Faced by Autism Institutions - As public schools become more accessible, many parents prefer enrolling their children in these institutions, leading to enrollment difficulties for autism-specific institutions [3][14]. - The financial burden of rehabilitation is substantial for families, with many parents sacrificing their jobs to care for their children, and some families going into debt for treatment [17][18]. - Institutions are facing a price war, leading to reduced tuition fees, which may compromise the quality of education and rehabilitation services [21]. Group 3: Innovations and Future Directions - The introduction of "shadow teachers" aims to assist children with autism in mainstream schools, addressing the gap in specialized teacher training and resources [24]. - Despite the challenges, the founder of an autism institution remains hopeful and committed to improving the lives of children with autism, emphasizing the importance of continued support and development in this field [25][26].