Children diagnosed with autism were treated to a musical concert at the Kunshan Culture and Art Center on Aug 6.

The solo concert was part of 14-year-old musical prodigy Hu Xuyuan's "Flowerlike Bloom" musical tour, and featured the Chinese zither. The music was aimed at giving the children a structure and increasing their ability to function in a social environment.

Though there have been limited studies about its effectiveness, musical therapy has become a central part of many programs for children with autism. While some autistic children may be sensitive to certain noises or music, they can be eased into musical activities gradually.

While the causes of autism remain unclear, China has developed awareness for early intervention of autistic children in recent years, including proper education and targeted training programs.