BEIJING - A total of 36,000 autistic children from poor families now receive rehabilitation aid, according to China's Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) on Saturday.

The incidence of autism is about 1.1 in every 1000 children under the age of six in China, with the number of small children with autism estimated to be about 111,000, according to CDPF statistics.

According to the China Education Association, the total number of people in China with autism could be over 10 million, with about 2 million children under 14 years old.

Education of autistic children in China is largely dependent upon private rehabilitation schools and training centers. There are 77,000 autistic children registered in rehabilitation organizations nationwide.

China has invested 432 million yuan in rehabilitation for autistic children, but still more are in urgent need of professional help.

The government promises to invest more for the education and rehabilitation of autistic children, and a public medical aid system will also be established, said the CDPF.