On March 30, ahead of the 18th World Autism Awareness Day, the “Run with Love, Light Up Star Dreams—2025 KDL ‘World Autism Awareness Day’ Charity Marathon Nationwide Synchronized Campus Run,” jointly hosted by ECNU and Chinese Association of Physical Education, was launched simultaneously in over 30 sub-venues across more than 20 provinces and cities nationwide. The event attracted nearly a thousand participants, including children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), parents, and compassionate volunteers.
This year’s event has been upgraded from a “Home-School-Community Collaboration” to a nationwide “synchronized campus run,” introducing three innovative collaboration models: “Universities + Special Education Schools (or related institutions),” “Universities + Primary Schools,” and “Primary & Secondary Schools + Primary & Secondary Schools.” Centered around the main venue at ECNU Minhang Campus in Shanghai, the initiative follows a standardized program to guide over 30 sub-venues nationwide, significantly expanding the reach of inclusive education. The goal is to raise greater awareness of the growth and development of children with ASD and establish a deeply impactful public welfare brand.
Rolling iron hoops, playing Fangbao (Square Tossing Game), weaving flower baskets, and pitching pots—children immersed themselves in these traditional sports games, rich in the cultural heritage and historical memory of the Chinese nation, unlocking a vibrant world of intangible cultural heritage.
This event recruited over 80 primary and secondary school students as “Little Volunteers” to engage in interactive games at various checkpoints across the campus alongside children with ASD. The “Little Volunteers” naturally paired up with the “children of the stars,” fostering deep interaction through running and playing together. This relaxed and joyful atmosphere helped promote mutual understanding and acceptance. The “Hand-in-Hand: Inclusive Children Together” activity model was widely adopted at event venues across the country, showcasing ECNU’s leading role in inclusive education and expanding the reach of adapted physical education nationwide.
Tian Yiran, a student from Jade Rabbit Class 1, Grade 2, ECNU Affiliated Minhang Yongde Primary School, participated as a “Little Volunteer” for the second time. “This year’s event brought together children and friends from more than 30 locations nationwide. Although we are in different cities, we share the same goal—to accompany 'children of the stars' with love, making them feel warmth and joy,” said Tian Yiran.
“My child took the initiative to hold someone else’s hand for the first time. His smile told me that this kind of companionship has real power,” said an emotional parent of a child with ASD. Another parent shared, “He used to resist participating in group activities, but today, he ran the entire course on his own and even smiled at the children around him. This run allowed him to feel the kindness of the world—a healing power that no medication can provide.”
This year, the number of volunteer registrations reached a record high, with over 2,000 volunteers signing up nationwide. As the initiator of the nationwide relay run, ECNU provided each event venue with a “standardized + customized” KDL public service plan and offered systematic training for volunteers. The training covered autism awareness, volunteer service guidelines, effective communication techniques, and emergency response strategies, ensuring that volunteers could provide professional, safe, and compassionate companionship. This approach guarantees that the event is “held with warmth and delivers meaningful impact.”
Sub-venues all over the country
Behind this initiative lies years of dedicated research and practical exploration by Prof. Wang Xiaozan and the KDL team from the School of Physical Education and Health, ECNU. KDL originates from its core curriculum philosophy—"Know it, Do it, Love it"—aiming to establish a strong cognitive foundation for sports (Know it), enhance the practical application of motor skills (Do it), and ultimately inspire a genuine love for physical activity (Love it).
After more than a decade of theoretical research and frontline practice, the KDL research team has developed a comprehensive and effective motor intervention program tailored to the physical and psychological characteristics of children with ASD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and motor development delay (MD). The program focuses on improving motor skills, increasing physical activity levels, strengthening emotional regulation, and enhancing social interaction. By integrating diverse exercise games and engaging interactive activities, the initiative helps children with ASD develop their overall abilities in an enjoyable and supportive environment. Over the past five years, the KDL team has provided 1,800 service instances to children with ASD, leading to significant improvements in their symptoms. The program has earned widespread recognition and appreciation from parents and the broader community.
The KDL team conducts group-based motor interventions for children and adolescents with ASD
Looking ahead, ECNU will continue advancing the KDL National Campus Charity Run for World Autism Awareness Day, striving to establish it as an annual nationwide event with widespread influence. The initiative aims to benefit more children with ASD and their families, ensuring that research achievements in inclusive education and adapted physical education better serve societal development. Through these efforts, the university seeks to empower every child with ASD to embrace a more confident and fulfilling future.
Source: College of Physical Education and Science
Editor: Wicky Xu
