From Isolation to Inclusion

Children with autism struggle to integrate not only because of individual communication or behavioral differences. Their environment can also become a structural barrier. When services are far, public spaces lack accessible design, and communities lack understanding, children may withdraw even if they want to participate. Instead of only helping children adapt, we asked: if the environment can change, can society move closer to them? This shifted the project toward community space, public services, social perception, and support systems.

Research: I reviewed literature on social integration, public services, community support, and friendly environments, helping build the problem framework.

Data: I used SPSS for data cleaning and analysis, turning questionnaires into statistical evidence and identifying common patterns across regions, families, and services.

Field Practice: I joined field research in Guangdong, visited organizations in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and volunteered with children with autism. This showed me the real children, families, and communities behind the data.

Visual Communication: I designed provincial/national exhibition boards, PPTs, and on-site materials, and contributed to badges, postcards, wristbands, picture books, brochures, IP materials, and exhibitions. I organized research layers into clear visual reading paths and used lightweight formats to lower public understanding barriers. I also joined offline roadshows and exhibitions.

This project let me experience a full process: identifying a problem → gathering evidence → analyzing data → developing insights → proposing solutions → visualizing findings → public communication. Communication can begin when a problem is identified, not only after research ends. Research answers what and why; communication asks how to help more people understand, care, and participate. It also showed me design can go beyond visual expression. Social research, data, planning, and visual communication can work together on a real issue. Creativity should help people understand an issue while staying grounded in facts. Communication can serve not only commerce but also connect research, the public, and social action.