Our Story

A mother’s first questions

When her son was five, Hazel began noticing differences in how he interacted with peers and responded to instruction. His teachers raised the possibility of neurodivergence and the school made a referral for assessment — but the waiting list was over two years long.

Searching for answers alone

Without a formal diagnosis, Hazel received little support or guidance. She began her own research and reached out to others for reassurance — but found that people struggled to understand her situation.

“They didn’t seem to understand what it was, and were reluctant to engage in any conversation about it.”

Leaving everything to learn

Hazel left her successful career as a London interpreter and relocated her family to Swansea to pursue an MSc in Autism and Related Conditions at Swansea University. Her studies revealed the specific challenges the Chinese community faces around autism and neurodivergence.

Confronting cultural stigma

When she connected with the local Chinese Community Centre, Hazel met significant resistance. She was eventually told that members were avoiding her because she was “being so vocal about autism.”

“In Chinese culture, there is great stigma associated with autism — a societal perception that it is an embarrassment and should not be discussed.”

Building a safe space

Recognising that other Chinese families faced the same struggles, Hazel sought funding to establish support sessions and activities. At first families were reluctant to acknowledge having autistic children — but gradually they gained confidence and began to attend.

A community grows

As the benefits became clear, attendance grew organically — and CACIC was born: a place to turn silence into understanding, and stigma into strength.