Kunming's cafe percolates a difference

KUNMING — Not long ago, Duoduo could not bear the hustle and bustle of city living for any length of time. For the 24-year-old man with autism, even the slightest noise would leave him feeling restless.

Today, he has acclimated to the urban soundscape and transitioned into a skilled barista, adept in the craft of creating lattes at Chuxing Cafe in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province.

Owned and managed by Fu Xin, the cafe employs people with autism, among them, Duoduo.

"The cafe is a window to understanding and acceptance," Fu says.

"When employees engage with customers, be it through language or gestures, a heartfelt connection is forged."

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by varying degrees of impairment to communication skills and social interaction. Children with autism are sometimes called "children of the stars" in China, as society often perceives them as lonely, and they can exhibit unconventional emotional reactions, language ability, or social skills.

A report on autism education showed that in 2019, there were more than 10 million people with an autism spectrum disorder in China, among whom 2 million were children aged under 12.

Diagnosed with autism when he was little, Duoduo experienced difficulty with language during his early years.

Li Aiping, his mother, worried about his future and tried to find work for him to do, but encountered obstacles. "If Duoduo remained at home, his condition would only get worse," she says.

An employment notice in 2021 gave her hope. Chuxing Cafe was offering free training and job opportunities to people with autism. Feeling nervous yet hopeful, Li took her son to the cafe.

At first, Duoduo didn't like the sound of the coffee machine releasing steam and was nervous each time he started it up. With the support of his mother and Fu, he adapted and fell in love with making coffee.

Duoduo is now a coffee master. With gentle flicks of his wrist, he makes a "Z" shape on the surface of the coffee with milk foam, slowly forming a heart shape.

After finishing, he serves the steaming cup to his customer and returns to the workbench to wipe away stains.

Fu says that some of the cafe's regulars say they are moved that her cafe fulfills the dreams of the "children of the stars".

The idea for the cafe stemmed from Fu's encounter with a child with autism several years ago, which led her to see the possibility of social improvement through interaction.

She opened the Chuxing Cafe in 2021, not only starting her own business but also lending a helping hand to those with autism.

Since 2021, the cafe has trained 50 apprentices ranging in age from 18 to 37, the majority of whom have autism. Currently, 13 have completed training and moved on to other branches of the cafe to make coffee, bake, and do other chores.

Fu says the majority of customers are regulars. Besides enjoying the coffee, they also teach the staff skills in their spare time like painting, English and basketball.

Duoduo has a busy schedule — making coffee in the morning and learning new skills in the afternoon. "Although he is not articulate, he is action-oriented," Fu says.

Seeing the changes in Duoduo, other parents have become hopeful and have started exploring their own children's talents.

The cafe is also a haven for parents of children with autism.

"Parents also need social interaction. When we do things with our children and other parents, we can communicate and support one another," says the mother of one of the other employees, Ziyao.

Cafes specifically designed for people with autism are appearing in other cities.

More people in charge of communities and special schools are visiting Chuxing Cafe, hoping to apply its model in other locations and expand it to more fields, thereby helping more children with special needs integrate into society.

A growing number of support organizations are also being set up by parents of children with autism. These organizations offer information and counseling, as well as training and job-seeking services for parents. They also provide support for people with autism in terms of schooling and employment, helping them integrate more effectively into society with dignity.

The national rehabilitation training system for people with autism is improving. A system of early autism screening has been established in Guizhou province, for example, and the number of institutions providing rehabilitation for people with autism in the province is increasing.

In July, the China Disabled Persons' Federation, the Ministry of Education and five other authorities released a five-year implementation plan for the care of children with autism. The plan proposes measures such as strengthening medical insurance, to improve the environment for the growth and development of children with autism.

"To be with the 'children of the stars' is a journey of knowing about one another. The themes of the journey are understanding, respect and love," Fu says.