CONFERENCE 2026

Bridging Autism: Science & Community

A two-day symposium bringing together world-class researchers, clinicians, educators, families, and autistic advocates.

Bridging Autism: Science & Community

April 4–5, 2026

Sherman Auditorium, BIDMC, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02115

Conference Chairs: Xue-Jun (June) Kong, MD & Walid Yassin, DMSc, MMSc

Day 1 — Saturday, April 4

Scientific Frontiers & Professional Perspectives

8:00–8:30

Registration & Light Breakfast

8:30–8:45

Opening Remarks

M. Keshavan, MD, E. Grant, MD

Moderated by Kong & Yassin

8:45–9:45

Keynote: Autism — Research and Clinical Challenges across the Lifespan

Margaret Bauman, MD

KEYNOTE

9:45–10:15

Autism: Navigating Work, Environment and Climate

Thomas Gassert, MD

SESSION

10:15–10:30

Coffee Break & Art Exhibition

10:30–11:00

From Awareness to Action: Precision Science & Strength-Based Futures

June Kong, MD

SESSION

11:00–11:30

OASIS TLC: A Farmstead Service Model for Autistic Adults

Mai & John Cleary

SESSION

11:30–12:00

Executive Functioning: Early Childhood through Adulthood

Bai Pan, BCBA

SESSION

12:00–1:00

Lunch & Art Exhibition

1:00–1:45

Updates on Autism & Cognition: Comorbidities

William Stone, PhD

SESSION

1:45–2:15

Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Walid Yassin, DMSc

SESSION

2:15–2:45

Gene Modulation Therapies for Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Xin Tang, PhD

SESSION

2:45–3:15

Beyond Accommodations: Reframing Neurodiverse Education

Debra May, PhD

SESSION

3:15–3:30

Coffee Break & Art Exhibition

3:30–4:00

Building a Solid Financial Future for Special Needs Families

Annie Liu, CPA

SESSION

4:00–4:15

Film: Inner Light to Shine

Amber Huang

FILM

4:15–5:00

Film: Aegean Sea Adventure

Jianping Qu

FILM

5:00–5:15

Q&A and Closing Remarks

SESSION

Day 2 — Sunday, April 5

Family Stories & Lived Experience

8:00–8:30

Registration & Art Exhibition & Breakfast

8:30–8:45

Opening Remarks

Kong & Yassin

SESSION

8:45–9:30

Talent Is Not Accidental: Building Strength-Based Pathways

Raymond Wang, Xiaochun Wang

Parent-Child Duo

9:30–10:15

Diagnosis Is Not Destiny: Redefining the Future

Andrew Day, Jack Day

Parent-Child Duo

10:15–10:30

Coffee Break & Art Exhibition

10:30–11:15

A Life-Course Study of Internalizing Behaviors in ASD

Chen Yi-Hong, Grace Chen

Parent-Child Duo

11:15–12:00

Walking with Starlight: A Mother's Love Guiding My Dreams

Liu Mengyuan, Chen Lan

Parent-Child Duo

12:00–12:30

Panel Q&A & Closing Remarks

SESSION

12:30–1:30

Lunch & Social Connections

Organizers & Partners

Hosts

BIDMC (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)SYNAPSE ProgramThe MiND Project

Organizers

American Chinese Medical Exchange SocietyRena Life InstituteBoston Global Medical Collaboration

Co-Organizers

US International Education Alliance (UIEA)SparkSeed AcademyFranklin FoundationEA Education & Silk Road CenterAutistic Artistry Foundation

Partners

Taiwan Autistic Arts Association