Chinese Autism CiC (CACIC) is a small organisation with a mighty mission – to be the flagship for systemic change, leading by example to completely eradicate the destructive stigma attached to neurodivergence not just in Chinese culture but within all ethnicities and cultures across the world.

Autism is associated with behaviours that directly conflict with cultural expectations within the Chinese community, especially the importance of achievement and familial harmony through good manners and behaviour.

The Mandarin term for autism is “gūdúzhèng” (孤独症), literally translating as “loneliness disease,” which both creates and reinforces the cultural perception that it is something inherently negative; it is believed to be contagious with the parent wholly at fault for ‘allowing’ their child ‘catch it’. This severely harmful misconception and deep-rooted taboo causes Chinese families living with autism to become shamed into isolation and social exclusion.

Neurotypical members of the family are simultaneously hidden away; consequently, the doors to opportunities that would enable them all to thrive slam shut, increasing fear of victimisation and a debilitating lack of confidence to engage in social and financial support mechanisms. This puts the whole family at greater risk, especially when coupled with additional barriers such as immigrant status and having English as an Additional Language, meaning they often face multiple discrimination.

Our founder and director, Hazel, is from Malaysia and experienced this first hand (initially as a parent carer, and most recently for herself as a late-diagnosed AuDHDer). The experience was devastating and alarming enough that she became resolute that no other family like hers would go through the same; she went against her cultural grain and courageously created CACIC in October 2021.

With your generosity, we can gain leaps together toward this collective vision of long-term cultural change becoming a reality.