YORBA LINDA, the United States — A calligraphy and painting exhibition featuring works by autistic youth, along with a charity luncheon, was held on Tuesday at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California.

Described by attendees as "a dialogue exploring art therapy and medical therapy for autistic children", the event attracted a diverse group of participants, including autistic children and families from China and the United States, professors from the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, as well as local educational institutions, artists and entrepreneurs.

Jointly sponsored by the Pan American Health Society, the China Volunteer Service Foundation and the Autistic Youth Art Education Foundation, the event showcased dozens of remarkable paintings created by individuals with autism. These works were collected through the China Volunteer Service Foundation's Light Plan, a public welfare initiative focused on "lighting up hope and finding light".

The Light Plan Initiative was designed to help autistic children realize their rights to equal education, individual value and a happy life, and help their families, says Shi Bing, the plan's initiator.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a neurological disorder affecting one's social interaction, communication, routine and more. It is observed across the globe.

In China, several nongovernmental organizations, such as Light Plan, have been established to provide autism intervention, parental training and support to improve the emotional well-being of both children with autism and their parents.

Xinhua