History

Flowers for Algernon (FFA) is an initiative founded by a group of high school students from UWC Changshu in April 2024,
dedicated to supporting individuals with Neurodivergence. After observing that many children, beyond compulsory
education, lack the essential skills needed to integrate into society, FFA started and continues to collaborate closely with
Changshu Special Education School to teach kids life skills

As our exploration deepened, we discovered ways to expand the impact and better change the current situation, in
December 2025, Flowers for Algernon started our collaboration with the local organization XiaoWoNiu, creating the
program “老友记”, where students in UWC Changshu China connect 1 on 1 with XiaoWoNiu youth with autism. Unlike
public special education schools, many youths at XiaoWoNiu lack opportunities to build friendships with peers of the
same age; therefore, we intend to design many fun sessions to sustain this personal connection through months and
semesters, creating shared experiences and allowing chances of communication both ways between UWC and
XiaoWoNiu students. By continuously inviting students from different backgrounds at UWC to join, we also hope to help
autistic youths expand their social circles—meeting new people through their “old friends”—and gradually develop
interpersonal skills in less familiar social situations.

Other than sessions that occur on a weekly basis, Flowers for Algernon also hosts an annual event on UWC Changshu’s
campus as part of a student-led “Divers-ability Week”. In the past, we have carried out a “Seeking Help when Lost in an
Unfamiliar Environment” activity and, separately, an afternoon of “Job Simulation” with detailed planning, inviting 20
families to our campus.

Looking ahead, we are now working with XiaoWoNiu, the One Foundation, and the Changshu local government to
explore services for older individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, striving to address the challenge
many face of being confined at home immediately after graduation

Mission

  1. To improve neurodivergent youths’ daily independence by teaching essential life skills and functional communication
    used in everyday situations.

  2. To expand post-graduation possibilities for neurodivergent individuals in daily living, community participation, and
    employment, by addressing both individual needs and structural gaps in adult support systems.

  3. To foster communication between UWC students and neurodivergent youth in mutual appreciation and learning while
    diversifying interpersonal experiences for the youth.

  4. To connect and co-create shared resources among schools, families, NGOs, and community partners, strengthening
    long-term and coordinated support systems.

  5. To raise social awareness and understanding of neurodivergence through social media, challenging stigma and
    encouraging more inclusive attitudes within the broader community.