My China Trip
Richard Solomon, MD
November 19, 2018
Chinese culture is changing rapidly with millions moving to the big cities. Hundreds of monolithic apartments, fifty stories high, silhouette the skylines. Construction everywhere. The modern, clean, and architecturally beautiful downtowns I visited are bustling with cars, motorbikes, bicycles, and pedestrians jostling in the streets. The government has successfully raised hundreds of millions out of poverty and education is now available to all but only recently has government policy begun to address the needs of children with disabilities.
That’s why I was invited to visit five southern Chinese cities (six hotels in ten days!). During my trip, I met (over meals of delicious Chinese dishes!) with many leaders—from hospitals, children’s hospitals, universities, autism schools, rehab agencies, and ministries of public health and education—all of whom were very interested in playful, parent implemented models and The PLAY Project’s autism early intervention in particular, as a way to help the multitude of Chinese children with ASD. I was treated as a visiting dignitary and felt very honored to be there.
I capped my trip in Hangzhou where, as the highlight of The PLAY Project 2-day Intensive Workshop, I evaluated (and played with!) four children (one at a time) on stage in a spacious modern elementary school auditorium in front of nearly 200 teachers, doctors, child development professionals, and Chinese dignitaries.
I return home not only with a large bag full of gifts (the Chinese are masters of gift giving) but with many friendships and professional connections. There is evidence that Chinese leaders and families are embracing our playful, parent implemented model of autism early intervention: several Chinese doctors and teachers will be pursuing PLAY Project Consultant Certification training. I am excited to say that I have been invited back—this time to Beijing—in the spring. PLAY on!
Dr. Solomon with a wonderful team of rehabilitation doctors at Southern Medical University Hospital in Shenzhen. Dr. Li Hai of Southern Medical University plans to do research on The PLAY Project.
Dr. Solomon with the Suzhou hospital admin. Suzhou, the garden city of China, is home of the first piloted PLAY Project program in China under the medical direction of Dr. Zhang at the Suzhou Municipal Hospital.
Dr. Solomon hosting The PLAY Project Workshop.
Dr. Solomon in Suzhou.
The Garden at Suzhou Central Hotel.