Source: The Third Affiliated Hospital
Written by: The Third Affiliated Hospital
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On March 13-14, 2015, Dr. Andy Shih, Vice President of Autism Speaks, visited the Child Behavioral & Developmental Center of The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), accompanied by Mr. Guo Hailiang, Director of the Administrative Committee of Women and Children’s Aid Fund of China Women’s Development Foundation (CWDF).

During the two-day visit, Dr. Andy Shih and Mr. Guo Hailiang met with doctors and team members in the Child Behavioral & Developmental Center (hereinafter referred to as the Center). Prof. Zou Xiaobing, Director of the Center, introduced the outpatient program, family-based autism training curriculum, and the adaptation model of behavioral intervention for the children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Dr. Deng Hongzhu, Deputy Director of the Center, introduced the clinical implementation programs and the development of disciplines. They discussed the Center’s unique family-based ASD intervention model and how this model can serve ASD individuals and families better in China.

Dr. Shih and Mr. Guo visited the Center’s outpatient department, and observed the bimonthly ASD parent workshop. Over 200 families have joined this workshop. Dr. Shih gave a speech to the parents on behalf of Autism Speaks, in which he expressed his sincere respect for the service and intervention program the Center provided in decades for the children with ASD and their families. On behalf of CWDF, Mr. Guo highlighted the Center’s contribution to promoting ASD diagnosis and early intervention, and encouraged the parents to follow the professional lead confidently.

Dr. Shih highly appreciated the Center’s consistent efforts in ASD early diagnosis and intervention for over 15 years. He also highlighted the contributions the Center has made to establish the innovative family-based intervention model for the children with ASD in China.

The two sides also discussed the collaboration program to enhance parenting skills for families with ASD children. They made plans to establish China's first autism parent skills training base in the next 3-5 years, and the international multi-site RCT research program addressing clinical issues of ASD interventions project on this basis.

Autism Speaks is the largest leading autism science and advocacy organization in the United States. Autism Speaks is dedicated to funding innovative autism research into the causes, prevention and treatments. Autism Speaks initiates the global LIUB activities (Light It Up Blue) each year on April 2nd, the World Autism Awareness Day, to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders in the public. Autism Speaks also aims to bring the autism community together as one strong voice to urge the government and private sector to listen to their concerns and take action to address this urgent global health crisis. (https://www.autismspeaks.org)