In China, children with autism are sometimes called “children of the stars” (星星的孩子). For a long time, people believed they could not work or live independently. But a new national plan may change this idea.
Zhang Yu, 22, has autism. He used to fear loud machine noises. Today, he works in a bakery, weighing dough, kneading it, and packing bread. With his first salary, he bought a scarf for his mother. When he gave it to her, she cried with joy.
Zhang’s story is becoming less unusual. In July 2026, China published a new plan for people with disabilities. For the first time, it includes a special part on caring for autistic people through their whole lives. The plan encourages companies to give autistic young people chances to work and helps them live more independently in their communities.
Why does this matter? For people with autism and their families, a job is more than money. It means dignity and a normal adult life. Experts say that with the right training and support, many autistic young people can do real work well. They may be slow at first, but they are often careful, honest, and loyal.
Of course, there are still challenges. Many autistic young people finish school and then stay at home because no one gives them a chance. Changing this needs effort from families, schools, companies, and the whole society.
The road is long, but it is moving forward. Every person, no matter their condition, has the right to work and to be respected. When society gives them a chance, the “children of the stars” can shine in the workplace too.
Words to know:
- autism (自闭症)
- salary (工资)
- bakery (面包店)
- dignity (尊严)
- independent (独立的)
- challenge (挑战)
- loyal (忠诚的)
- condition (状况；疾病)
长难句拆解 · 现在分词并列与 no matter 让步
① Today, he works in a bakery, weighing dough, kneading it, and packing bread. 主干是 he works in a bakery（他在一家面包店工作）。后面三个现在分词 weighing / kneading / packing 由逗号与 and 并列，作伴随状语，补充说明工作内容；三个动作与主语 he 都是主动关系，所以用 -ing 而非 -ed，这是判断分词形式的关键一步。
② Every person, no matter their condition, has the right to work and to be respected. 主干是 Every person has the right to work and to be respected（每个人都有工作和被尊重的权利）。两个逗号之间的 no matter their condition 是让步状语，相当于 no matter what their condition is，口语与新闻英语中常省略 what…is；两个不定式 to work 与 to be respected 并列作 right 的后置定语，其中第二个用了被动式 be respected，因为「人」是被尊重的一方。
同义替换 · 雅思阅读利器
题干从不照抄原文，全靠同义替换改写。做题时先在题干里圈出「信号词」，再回原文找它们的同义变体，定位速度会明显变快。本文可迁移的替换组：
- live independently → lead an independent life
- published a new plan → rolled out a fresh blueprint
- give young people chances to work → offer young people job opportunities
- more than money → more than just a pay packet
- do real work well → perform genuine jobs competently
- needs effort from → calls for efforts by
- has the right to be respected → deserves to be treated with respect
阅读自测 · 3 题
- 判断（T / F / NG） — Zhang Yu bought a scarf for his mother with his first salary.
- 简答（不超过 6 个词） — What is a job more than for autistic people and their families?
- 判断（T / F / NG） — Most autistic young people in China now have paid jobs.
参考答案与解析
- T — 原文「With his first salary, he bought a scarf for his mother」，工资用途一一对应，属原文直述。
- More than money. — 原文「a job is more than money」，题目直接追问 more than 的内容，答案就是紧跟其后的 money，可加 It means dignity 进一步展开，但简答题只需核心词。
- NG — 原文只说「Many autistic young people finish school and then stay at home because no one gives them a chance」，从未给出就业比例数据，属「无中生有」式数量比较。
中文译文
在中国，孤独症（自闭症）儿童有时被称为「星星的孩子」。长久以来，人们认为他们无法工作，也无法独立生活。但一项新的国家规划或许会改变这种看法。
22岁的张宇患有孤独症。他曾害怕机器发出的巨大声响。如今，他在一家面包店工作，称量面团、揉面、包装面包。他用第一笔工资给母亲买了一条围巾。当他把围巾送给母亲时，母亲喜极而泣。
张宇的故事正变得不再罕见。2026年7月，中国发布了一项针对残疾人的新规划。它首次纳入了关于孤独症人士全生命周期照护的专门内容。该规划鼓励企业为孤独症青年提供工作机会，并帮助他们在社区中更独立地生活。
这为何重要？对孤独症患者及其家庭来说，一份工作远不止是钱。它意味着尊严，意味着正常的成年生活。专家说，在恰当的训练和支持下，许多孤独症青年都能把实实在在的工作做好。他们起初可能慢一些，但往往细心、诚实、可靠。
当然，挑战依然存在。许多孤独症青年从学校毕业后就待在家里，因为没有人给他们机会。要改变这一点，需要家庭、学校、企业乃至整个社会的共同努力。
这条路很长，但它正在向前延伸。每一个人，无论身体状况如何，都有工作和受尊重的权利。当社会给他们一个机会，「星星的孩子」也能在工作岗位上发光。