Autism Summit
Embracing Neurodiversity — Gifted People Services Hosts its First Public Autism Education Summit
April 5, 2025 Toronto
April is Autism Awareness Month. To further support families affected by autism, Gifted People Services organized a public education summit for families and the general public, aiming to promote understanding and inclusivity.
Presentation: Focus on Neurodiversity - Contemporary Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) By Sara from Kinark Autism Services
Event Overview
On April 5, the Autism Summit was successfully held at the Scarborough Civic Centre in Toronto.
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The event brought together experts, policymakers, media, and members of the autism community, along with supporters from various sectors of society. Together, they explored strategies to enhance support for individuals on the autism spectrum, raise public awareness, and advocate for inclusive policies.
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This non-profit summit was hosted by Gifted People Services, with geust speakers including Kinark Autism Services, SAAAC Autism Centre, and CAAC.
The event was officially opened by Ms. Dianna Yu Jiang, founder of Gifted People Services, whose speech emphasized the urgent needs of autism families for both support and access to knowledge. She pointed out that while many educational forums exist, their high costs are often a barrier for parents.
Thus, this summit was organized as a free event to provide valuable resources and professional insight into autism treatment, education, and public understanding.
Strong Government Support
The summit received outstanding support from all three levels of government:
MP Shaun Chen attended and offered congratulations. MPP Aris Babikian joined interactive activities and addressed the audience. Toronto City Councillor Jamaal Myers gave a keynote speech and took photos with organizers and sponsors.
Support from all levels of government
Featured Speakers and Topics
The summit focused on four key topics, delivered by guest speakers from various fields:
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​Sara from Kinark Autism Services presented:"Neurodiversity in Focus: Modern Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)". She detailed the principles and effectiveness of ABA therapy in autism intervention.
SAAAC Autism Centre delivered a talk on:"Cultural Perspectives on Autism: Diagnosis and Care". The presentation emphasized how cultural differences impact diagnosis and care approaches across communities.
A speaker from CNRS (Canadian National Robotic Society) led a session titled:
"Robotics in Education: Enhancing Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills in Special Needs Children"They discussed how AI and robotics can support individualized education plans (IEPs) for children with special needs.
Howard Wu from HT Perfect Group spoke on:"Recovery, Mental Health & Self-Care: Helping Autism Families Find Balance and Resilience"His talk focused on supporting families as a whole in achieving long-term wellness and mental strength.
Sponsors and Community Support
The summit was generously sponsored by: Title Sponsor: HT Perfect Group. Financial Sponsors: TD Bank, Sun Life, Trinity Financial, Wukong Chinese.
Food Sponsors: Baker Duck, Marathon Cafe, and Renhe Tofu.​ (They provided free meals, snacks, and beverages to attendees. Fun games and activities were also offered for children, allowing parents to fully engage in the summit.)
Presentations, Sponsors and group photos
Moving Forward: Raising Awareness, Building Inclusion
Through this summit, Gifted People Services hopes to empower more parents with valuable knowledge and contribute to a more understanding and inclusive society for individuals with autism.
The organization also welcomes businesses, community partners, and organizations to collaborate in creating a more autism-friendly environment for all.