Chinese autistic children receive dolphin therapy in Sochi, Russia. [PHOTO BY REN QI/WANG YUYUN/CHINA DAILY]

When it became clear that Yu was autistic her parents sought various treatments for their daughter, although autism is incurable. Treatments that are available aim to help those with the condition make the most of their lives, and it was in a joint therapy program for autistic children set up by China and Russia last year that Yu's mother felt she had finally found what she was looking for.

That program, in which Chinese children with autism visit Sochi to undergo dolphin-assisted therapy, is supported by the government of Sochi and the China Foundation for Disabled Persons. It was first held last October and again in mid-June to July.

During her latest stay at the Red Star Dolphinarium, Yu and nine other children underwent dolphin therapy once a day. In the treatment each child was accompanied by a dolphin trainer, a Russian therapist, a Chinese trainer, an interpreter and the two dolphins.

With the help of professional therapists, the children played games with the dolphins and underwent treatment such as acupoint pressure therapy and ultrasonic sound wave stimulation.