Autism Community Summit 2025: Supporting Families and Advocates

On Saturday, April 26, at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center, The Children’s Institute of Hong Kong hosted the second annual Autism Community Summit. This important event brought together over 250 parents, professionals, educators, and industry leaders to share strategies, research, and experiences aimed at supporting autistic individuals and their families. As the proud official media partner, Optism continues its mission to advocate for the autism community by providing practical and actionable resources to families in Hong Kong and across Asia.

Collaboration and Real-World Solutions for Autism Challenges

The Autism Community Summit focused on collaboration and providing real-world solutions to challenges faced by autistic individuals and their families. Key topics included Hong Kong’s potential to become a global center of excellence for ASD, a Q&A session with the Hong Kong Police Force, discussions on gender and atypical ASD presentations, a panel featuring fathers of autistic children, insights into ASD assessments, and vocational pathways for autistic young adults.

Inspiring Opening Remarks and Stories of Inclusion

Dr. Amber Perymon-Evans, Executive Director of The Children’s Institute of Hong Kong, hosted the event with compassion and thoughtfulness. Her leadership underscored the importance of community and collaboration in addressing the needs of autistic individuals and their families. Vincent, Optism’s CIO, kicked off the day with an inspiring speech. His articulate and confident message resonated with attendees, emphasizing the platform’s dedication to supporting families navigating autism.

Dr. Jadis Blurton, Head of School at The Harbour School, shared a moving story about her pen pal who was only diagnosed with ASD in adulthood. Her story highlighted the critical need for early awareness, accurate diagnosis, and inclusive education to prevent such struggles.

Supporting Autism Through Modernized Insurance Policies

Damien Green, Chairman of Manulife Financial Asia and founder of StudioKT, delivered a profound presentation on modernizing insurance to better support the autism community. He explained how inclusive insurance policies can provide long-term benefits for autistic individuals and their families. Green also spoke passionately about Hong Kong’s potential to become a world-renowned autism center of excellence, attracting both talent and capital to drive innovation in autism care and services.

Hong Kong Police Force’s Training on Autism Awareness

A much-anticipated Q&A session was led by Dr. Amber Perymon-Evans and included representatives from the Hong Kong Police Force, Senior Inspector Sarah Chan (Family Conflict & Sexual Violence Policy Unit) and Police Clinical Psychologist Michael Fung. They discussed how police officers are trained to use behavioral indicators to recognize individuals with special needs, including autism.

The importance of the Care Card was highlighted as a tool for special needs individuals during interactions with the police. Additionally, the role of an “appropriate adult”—a person who accompanies and advocates for the needs of arrested individuals with special needs—was explained as a vital support mechanism.

Understanding Gender and Non-Typical ASD Presentations

Dr. Amanda Oswalt Visher, Director of Psychological Services and Clinical Psychologist, and Jane Murrihy, Child and Educational Psychologist from SPOT therapy center, shared their research on non-typical presentations of ASD. They emphasized that many individuals—particularly women—fall through the cracks during assessments due to their ability to mask their ASD traits or present with behaviors that differ from traditional stereotypes. Their work highlights the importance of improving ASD diagnosis and fostering inclusivity.

Parenting on the Spectrum: Fathers Share Their Autism Journeys

One of the most anticipated sessions was the panel discussion titled “Parenting on the Spectrum: Dad’s Edition,” moderated by Jeff Rotmeyer, founder of Love 21 and ImpactHK. Four fathers shared their honest and deeply personal journeys raising children with autism.

Akin Jeje summed up the panel perfectly with his poignant remark: “Difference is not inferiority.” The discussion emphasized the importance of love, collaboration, and inclusion in raising and supporting autistic children.

Vocational Learning for Autistic Young Adults in Hong Kong and Asia

The final panel on vocational learning and employment pathways for autistic young adults was moderated by Ansh Sahai from the SENsational Foundation. Panelists Edson Mok from The Nesbitt Centre, Jo Soo-Tang from ren人, and Belinda McLaughlin, Vice Principal of ESF Jockey Club Sarah Roe School, shared valuable insights.

They encouraged parents to start planning for their child’s future early and to utilize social workers at schools or in their districts for guidance. They also emphasized three key elements for successful transitions from school to work: skills, positive intent paired with high expectations, and clear conditions for employment. Industries such as F&B, hospitality, creative arts, publishing, and administration were highlighted as areas where autistic individuals can thrive. The panelists stressed the importance of providing support to help bridge the gap between education and community employment opportunities.

Celebrating Community, Progress, and Inclusion for ASD Families

The Autism Community Summit was more than just a conference—it was a celebration of community, hope, and progress. Autistic teenagers volunteered at the event, showcasing their talents and being actively involved in the program. Vendor booths hosted by Optism and other NGOs provided valuable resources and information to attendees.

Optism remains committed to supporting events like this, fostering collaboration, and delivering actionable resources for families of autistic children in Hong Kong and Asia.