SNN Presents: Current Advances in ASD

Topics

• Exploring a genetic diagnosis for children with autism
• Language development in children with autism, and the use of robots in enhancing their expressive speech
• Unveiling the truth about food allergies
• Exploring the experiences and needs of college students with autism

Seminar details

Genetic diagnosis in children with special needs, developmental challenges and autism

Dr. Josephine SC Chong, Associate Professor of Practice in Medical Genetics, CUHK

• Introduction to genetics and genomics.
• The clinical application of genetic tests in children with special needs, including intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder.
• Case sharing: how genetic tests can help with clinical management.

Robot for Autism Behavioral Intervention (RABI)

Dr. Catherine So Wing-Chee, Professor, Faculty of Education, CUHK

• Autistic children have difficulty handling social stimuli, engaging with people and maintaining social relationships. They also tend to have excessive reactivity to sensory stimulation from human-to-human interactions due to a particular form of brain hypertrophy.
• Robot for Autism Behavioural Intervention (RABI) is a fully fledged robotic intervention, developed since 2020. 
• Empirical evidence shows RABI can enhance nonverbal and verbal communication skills among autistic children.
• RABI curriculum, ranging from self-care to vocational skills, meets diverse and special learning needs.

Beyond the Hype: Unveiling the Truth About Food Allergies

Dr. Agnes Sze-yin LEUNG, Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, CUHK

• Understanding the differences between food allergies and food intolerances.
• Overview of the diagnostic strategy for food allergies.
• Long-term outlook and management of food allergies.

Exploring the Experiences and Needs of College Students with Autism

Prof. Gary Yu-Hin LAM, Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, CUHK

• Current trends and issues for students with disabilities, specifically autism, transitioning from secondary school to post-secondary education.
• Review of recent Equal Opportunities Commission study to describe the common experiences, challenges and needs of students with autism enrolled in local universities or colleges in Hong Kong.
• Exploring student support services and access to university education in general for students with SEN. 

Speakers

Dr. Josephine SC Chong, Associate Professor of Practice in Medical Genetics, Department of Paediatrics, CUHK

Dr. Chong is a clinical geneticist and a paediatrician. As well as her role as Associate Professor of Practice in Medical Genetics of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), she is deputy clinical director of the Joint CUHK-Baylor Center of Medical Genetics, Vice-President of the Hong Kong Society of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Society of Medical Genetics and the President of the Hong Kong Society of Genetic Counselling. She is one of the leading paediatricians to implement the first Hong Kong territory-wide newborn metabolic screening service in Hong Kong in 2013. Dr. Chong’s research focus is on the genetics of intellectual disability and autistic spectrum disorder, undiagnosed disease, inborn errors of metabolism disorders, and neurogenetics disorders.

Dr. Agnes Sze-yin LEUNG, Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, CUHK

Dr. Leung is an academic pediatric allergist with a clinical and research interest in allergy diagnostics and immunotherapy. Her team’s current research focuses on analyzing the patterns, causes, and effects of food allergy and anaphylaxis and developing biomarkers and novel immunotherapy for food allergy, specifically seafood allergy. The goals of her team's research are to improve diagnostic accuracy, implement safe and effective treatment, and improve the quality of life for allergic patients.

Dr. Catherine So Wing-Chee, Professor, Faculty of Education, CUHK

Dr. So is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where she has been since 2012. She previously worked for five years as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the National University of Singapore (NUS). She received her B.S.Sc from CUHK in 2001 and her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 2007. She has set up the Language and Gesture Laboratory at CUHK. Her research interest lies in language and cognitive development and in nonverbal communication among adults and atypically- and typically-developing children. She also develops intervention programs to promote non-verbal communication skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. These programs have benefited more than 2,200 children with autism in Hong Kong. She has published more than 60 articles in international peer-reviewed journals. Her work is recognized locally and internationally. She has been appointed as an INSAR Global Senior Leader for Hong Kong, S.A.R. and she received several local and international ICT awards.

Prof. Gary Yu-Hin LAM, Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, CUHK

Prof. Lam is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Educational Psychology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). His research focuses on better understanding neurodivergent individuals, including autism and other developmental disabilities, and promoting their well-being across the lifespan. He is a registered Educational Psychologist in Hong Kong and a Licensed Psychologist in the United States who has extensive clinical experience working with children, young adults, and their families and teachers in school and community settings.

Dr Albert Li, Assistant Dean (Student Affairs), Professor of Paediatrics and Chairman, Department of Paediatrics, CUHK

Dr. Li is Chairman and Professor of Paediatrics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). He underwent training at King’s College Hospital and the Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, before he returned to Hong Kong to take up an academic post at CUHK. His clinical and research interests are in respiratory and sleep medicine. He regularly holds out-reach clinics at Watchdog and Heep Hong, seeing children with sleep problems.