The Government-sponsored Art Program for Autistic Children

WCAAD student artwork，12 years old，Autism

WCAAD student artwork，6 years old，Autism

WCAAD student artwork，14 years old，Autism

​“These children are very gifted and wonderfully creative.” The WCAAD Principal Lei Wang said, “They produce extraordinary artworks to express their inner world and their feelings. It has been such a joy to watch them make tremendous improvements in creating their own, unique art.”

WCAAD student artwork，10 years old，Autism

WCAAD student artwork，14 years old，Autism

​Autism is a growing serious developmental issue and is affecting all parts of the world. Although there is no consensus for how best to address the condition yet, education can help autistic children become more independent.

WCAAD student artwork，7 years old，Autism

WCAAD student artwork，8 years old，Autism

WCAAD student artwork，10 years old，Autism

"Service, Support, and Advocacy for Individual with Developmental Disabilities and their Families"----Social Recreation/Camp & Non-Medical Therapies Policy
 
Social Recreation/Camp and Non Medical Therapies are services and supports for individuals served by the regional center that provide integrated participation within community settings. They are intended to develop an individual's social kills, create social connections, and enhance physical health while ameliorating the impact of the developmental disability.
 
California Department of Developmental Service (DDS): https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/
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Social Recreational/Camp and Non-Medical Therapies may include, but are not limited to: swimming, gymnastics, sports club, dance classes, martial arts, creative arts, music therapy, art therapy, equestrian therapy, day camp, overnight camp, or community integration activities. https://www.dds.ca.gov/general/eligibility/
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​The purpose of this program is to encourage access to social/recreation activities; including camp and non medical therapies (music, art, and equestrian therapy) for children and adults with developmental disabilities because these activities can improve their confidence, encourage independence, foster mental wellness, help them retain emotional stability, increase physical health , establish friendships, expand circles of support, and create diverse circles of friends that include persons with and without disabilities.

​These services and supports are essential bridges for encouraging the inclusion of individuals served within all aspects of community living. Publicly and privately funded socialization, leisure, and recreational programs, camps, and non-medical therapy service providers are encouraged to reimagine, modify, and refine their service delivery models ensuring that people with developmental disabilities are fully included.

​Many people have heard of autism, but they have never been in contact with autistic children, let alone understand the world of autistic children. The international community continues to address key issues facing persons with autism, and more and more people have joined efforts in caring the autistic children, trying best to help them live a normal life.

WCAAD student artwork，10 years old，Autism

WCAAD student artwork，20 years old，Autism

In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to designate April 2 as the "World Autism Awareness Day", aiming to bring the world's attention to autism and the tens of millions of people affected.    

​The WCAAD faculty have been taking every effort to help autistic children.  On the 3rd annual World Autism Awareness Day Youth Art Exhibition (April 2, 2023), WCAAD donated 15 copies of the students award-winning artworks for a charity sale to raise funds for the autistic children.

​As the co-sponsor, WCAAD joined the effort with Xinli Foundation and OC Autism Foundation on December 12, 2023 to hold a Christmas Cosplay Brunch Gala for a thousand of autistic children from Orange County, providing free art craft activities for the community.

​ “In the eyes of our school’s teachers and students, the autistic children are no different from others,” Lei said, “we treat autistic children equally, respect them, and protect their sensitivity and self-esteem, just like we do to all other children.”