In a brightly lit classroom at an autism rehabilitation center, a three-year-old boy named Haohao (pseudonym) took a small but significant step—uttering a faint “i” sound while gazing into a mirror. Encouraged by therapist Yu Canyang, his achievement marked a crucial breakthrough in his speech development.
This moment, recorded instantly on a tablet, was later processed by an AI system that generated a personalized progress report and home training plan for his parents. Such AI-driven innovations are transforming China’s autism rehabilitation sector, addressing the country’s significant demand for early intervention and therapy.
China faces a daunting challenge in autism care. The nation has over 10 million individuals on the autism spectrum, including more than 3 million children under 14. However, with only about 100,000 therapists—of which just 20,000 are registered—the demand for specialized care far outstrips supply. Each therapist can only manage four children per week, leaving many without crucial early intervention.
Unlike most medical conditions, autism is diagnosed through direct behavioral observation rather than biochemical tests or imaging scans. This highly individualized approach makes large-scale intervention complex. “Analyzing intervention outcomes across large populations can help optimize treatment for autistic children with similar behavioral profiles,” said Zou Xiaobing, chief physician at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University.
In November 2024, the Shenzhen-based Dami & Xiaomi Autism Rehabilitation Center, in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), introduced RICE AI, a comprehensive AI-powered platform for children with autism spectrum disorder, language impairments, and learning disabilities.
By integrating foundational AI models, professional expertise, and vast rehabilitation datasets, RICE AI enhances diagnostic precision, personalizes therapy, and streamlines home-based interventions. The platform has amassed over 80 million tagged behavioral data points, enabling therapists to generate personalized intervention strategies while reducing assessment report processing time from three hours to under 30 minutes.
“AI technology frees therapists from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus more on engaging with children and refining therapy strategies,” said Wang Zhanwei, vice president of Dami & Xiaomi.
The platform also automates the creation of customized picture books for home-based rehabilitation. Given that children with autism often require rigid visual consistency, AI-generated materials must maintain coherence. By embedding domain-specific knowledge into foundation models, RICE AI ensures the production of effective therapeutic materials, reducing picture book production time from two months to just 10 minutes.
China’s autism rehabilitation industry is rapidly adopting AI innovations. Other organizations, such as ALSOLIFE and ING Care, are developing digital therapeutics for autism, while AI-driven tools like “Starlight,” created by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Alibaba’s Tongyi-powered therapeutic picture books are reshaping intervention strategies.
Dami & Xiaomi now plans to unify its AI applications into a shared platform for industry-wide collaboration. “We are set to open-source our data and AI capabilities to support more rehabilitation centers and families,” Wang revealed.
For families of autistic children, these AI-driven advancements are life-changing. Haohao’s mother, recalling the first time her son called her “Mama,” expressed deep emotion. “I burst into tears, knowing that although the road ahead is long, we now have tools that make a real difference.”
As AI continues to revolutionize autism rehabilitation in China, the future holds promise for more accessible, efficient, and personalized care for millions of children and their families.
