Seven autistic young adults have recently celebrated the renewal of their work contracts, a significant milestone for them and their employer.
On the day he signed his renewed contract, Bao Han, a young man in Chengdu, told everyone he met, "I am still an employee of 'Dami & Xiaomi'!" Three years ago, he became the first autistic university graduate in Sichuan province to secure a job at a specialized children's rehabilitation center. Now, successfully renewing his contract has become his "happiest event."
Pan Weijie in Guangzhou was similarly thrilled. He repeatedly informed colleagues in the work group chat, "I'm very excited," even making specific plans for his salary—"half for mom, half for myself."
Recently, this organization named "Dami & Xiaomi" saw seven autistic young adults, located in cities like Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shanghai, successively renew their employment contracts. Since hiring its first autistic employee in 2019, the institution has provided job opportunities for 16 autistic youth in total.
An Achievement Built on Systemic Support
The renewal for these seven individuals is not a "miracle" but rather a conclusion drawn after seven years of operating a dedicated support system: autistic individuals can develop the capacity for independent living, learning, and working as adults.
Three Years of Redefining "Work"
The transformation in Ding Hui was gradually observed by his colleagues. At the Shanghai center, he is responsible for weekly activity theme creation and material printing. Initially, he struggled with unexpected tasks. Once, a colleague asked him to shred documents on short notice, causing an emotional breakdown—the task was too sudden, and he was also afraid of the shredder, a machine he had never used.
Colleagues did not rush him. Instead, they guided him step-by-step, gently supporting his arm to complete the first operation. Now, Ding Hui handles the shredder with great skill. Since then, more "firsts" have occurred: using a hammer to assemble furniture, proactively requesting leave while handing over work in advance, and even assigning tasks to colleagues.
The center director, Zhang Guifang, remarked, "We are finding ourselves increasingly reliant on him."
Pan Weijie's changes reflect a young person's evolving understanding of the "workplace." He was 19 when he started, more like an obedient "child"—doing what he was told without fully grasping the reasons. Working at the front desk involved taking children's temperatures, monitoring doors, and responding to colleagues' needs.
Previously, if a child ran towards the door, he might not react in time. Now, he immediately reaches out to stop them, saying, "You can't go out." Most notably, he has begun to understand workplace flexibility. Initially rigid, he felt tasks outside his strict duties shouldn't be done. When a colleague asked in a group chat for help delivering something, he replied directly that they should ask someone else.
Later, colleagues explained that if someone asks for help, even if it's not your primary job, you can assist if others are busy. Now, nearing the end of his shift, he proactively asks, "Does anyone have anything else that needs doing? Tell me now, I'm about to finish."
When Bao Han joined, he was disorganized and lacked basic office skills like printing and filing. Now, he proficiently operates various printers and software, and the organization even trusts him to manage the storeroom.
His mother shared that parents in their community joke that even if he lost his job, he could support himself by opening a print shop. This job made Bao Han feel, for the first time, that he is a valuable person. "He said that himself," his mother noted, adding that he gained not just a salary but something more precious: confidence.
Challenges in Employment for Autistic Youth
Before joining "Dami & Xiaomi," some of these young adults had worked elsewhere, but lacking a supportive environment, they couldn't sustain employment. Yang Liu from the HR department explained that from recruitment, the organization assesses self-care, independent travel, language, and emotional/behavioral abilities, then matches individuals to suitable roles based on their strengths.
After joining, each autistic employee is assigned a dedicated mentor who understands autism, not just any senior staff. This "long-term companionship" requires ongoing effort from all colleagues and mentors to help the youth adapt and excel.
Over seven years, the organization has developed a support system for autistic employees, compiling parts of it into a "Workplace Support Handbook for Neurodiverse Youth." This handbook is provided to new hires and relevant colleagues to foster mutual understanding and support.
However, this is not enough. Founder Jiang Yingshuang believes handbooks solve technical issues but not problems of willingness or systemic barriers. "Employment is a right for everyone, including those with special needs like autism. Currently, there is no specific legislation for autistic youth employment in China, and supportive policies are lacking."
"Promoting employment for autistic individuals requires a joint effort from the government, businesses, and the public," she stated, emphasizing that legal protections for the employment rights of people with special needs must come first, with government support in funding and talent.
The Journey to "Barrier-Free" Employment
"What will happen to our children when we are old?" is a deep concern for countless families with autistic members. Zou Xiaobing, chief physician and R&D consultant, noted that past understanding of autism was limited. While some autistic adults may not achieve full independence, increased awareness, early diagnosis, and scientific intervention mean more can develop independent living, learning, and working abilities.
He pointed out that autistic individuals may face social communication challenges but can excel in roles requiring focus and attention to detail, such as IT, library management, or data organization. "A number of autistic adults can achieve competitive employment, while others can work in supportive environments," he said.
Jiang Yingshuang added that hiring autistic employees revealed that by adjusting interaction styles and expectations to their unique characteristics, barriers can diminish or even become strengths. "This is the outcome all parents dream of," she said.
Since 2019, "Dami & Xiaomi" has hired 16 autistic youth for roles like video editing and general support across multiple cities. For many, a contract renewal is routine. For them, it is a confirmation—that they can work, be trusted, and become indispensable team members.
Jiang Yingshuang likened the support to a "crutch," providing the necessary support for them to walk. The ultimate goal, she emphasized, is for them to walk forward, regardless of whether they need that support initially.
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