Breaking the Silence on Untreated Autism Among Asian American Children

THIS IS A HYBRID EVENT
If you will join in person, reserve a spot by registering today.

The event will take place at Stanford Health Library, 211 Quarry Rd #201, Palo Alto, CA 94304. Free parking is available as well as complimentary food and drinks.

If you will join via Zoom, please use the zoom link below to register and join us virtually:

https://stanford.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-2PphDEVRO-Tw0QajK4xbQ#/registration

DESCRIPTION:

In the United States, 1 in 31 children, or 3.2%, receive a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Notably, among children of Asian descent, the prevalence of ASD diagnosis is higher, with 5.4% of Asian children—equivalent to 1 in 19—being diagnosed with autism. Despite this higher prevalence, less than one percent of Asian American children diagnosed with ASD receive treatment.

To address this concerning disparity, we are convening a panel discussion titled "Breaking the Silence on Untreated Autism Among Asian American Children and Their Families." By bringing together experts and individuals with lived experiences, our aim is to initiate a candid conversation about the underlying factors contributing to the lack of access to autism treatment among Asian American children. Through this dialogue, we will also delve into cutting-edge research and breakthroughs in personalized precision medicine, shining a light on promising treatments designed to address the cognitive challenges often encountered by individuals on the autism spectrum. Our discussion promises to offer valuable insights into the potential for tailored interventions to optimize cognitive abilities and enhance the overall quality of life for Asian American youth living with autism.

Panelists:

- Dr. Lawrence Fung, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University

- Anna Wang, Co-founder and Vice-president of Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN)

- Kelly Ko, a Parent of an Asian American Child with autism

Moderator: Lisa Kim, Senior Manager of Media Relations, Stanford Medicine/Stanford Health Care

When: May 22nd, 2024, 6 PM

Where: Stanford Health Library (In Person and Zoom)

This event is sponsored by Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education in partnership with Stanford Health Library, Stanford Asian Staff Forum, Stanford Health Care API & Allies ERG, the Department of Medicine’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, A3C, and Stanford Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA).

Dr. Lawrence Fung, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University

Dr. Lawrence Fung is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. He is the director of the Stanford Neurodiversity Project, director of the Neurodiversity Clinic, and principal investigator at the Fung Lab. His work, which focuses on autism and neurodiversity, traverses from multi-modal neuroimaging studies to a new conceptualization of neurodiversity and its application to clinical, educational, and employment settings. His lab advances the understanding of neural bases of human socio-communicative and cognitive functions by using novel neuroimaging and bioanalytical technologies. Using a community-based participatory research approach, his team devises and implements novel interventions to improve the lives of neurodiverse individuals by maximizing their potential and productivity. His work has been supported by various agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, Autism Speaks, California Department of Developmental Services, California Department of Rehabilitation, and philanthropy. He received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Cornell University and his M.D. from George Washington University. He completed his general psychiatry residency, child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship, and postdoctoral research fellowship at Stanford.

Anna Wang, Co-founder and Vice President, Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN)

Anna Wang is the co-founder and vice president of Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN), an organization founded over 28 years ago by Asian parents of children with developmental disabilities. FCSN currently serves over 1500 families and more than 500 individuals with special needs on a daily basis. Anna has devoted her life and career to creating programs and connecting families with the support, care, and resources needed to live healthy and happy lives. She is a champion for health and equity for people with disabilities.

In March 2023, Women’s History Month, Anna was inducted into the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame for her achievements and contribution in community services. In June 2023, she also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Developmental Disability Council.

Kelly Ko, Parent of an Asian American Child with Autism

Kelly is a parent of an 18-year-old adult son, Darren, who was diagnosed with autism at age 2 1/2. After experiencing the initial stages of self-blame and denial, Kelly and her husband knew that it was imperative to get necessary services to help Darren improve. Darren was not an easy child to take care of due to his speech, social, and sensory challenges, as well as his hyperactivity. It was difficult for them to understand him, and he had temper tantrums that they didn't know how to handle. However, Kelly didn't want his disability to determine his abilities. She allowed Darren to explore many interests by enrolling him in various classes such as piano and swimming, hoping that these would help him focus and learn. Then, Darren was also diagnosed with ADHD in the 4th grade, but this was also a huge turning point for Darren after Kelly made the decision to start him on ADHD Medic*tion. His focus started to improve, allowing him to learn, and with the help of his school teachers and FCSN, he was able to mainstream most of his classes and is now a senior in high school, graduating in June with a diploma and plans to attend junior college in the fall. Additionally, Darren has been able to develop his talents and interests in music and STEM. Kelly’s goal is to continue to provide a bright future for Darren.

Host or Publisher Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education