Interdisciplinary Experts Gather at Brain Science Salon: Advancing Treatment, Rehabilitation, and Growth for Children with Autism
Autism, a spectrum neurodevelopmental disorder with a prevalence rate as high as 1% and on the rise, not only affects the quality of life of individuals but also touches every corner of families and society. With the rapid development of cutting-edge technologies such as cognitive and neuroscience, genetic heredity and genomics, big data and artificial intelligence, and clinical psychology, what frontier progress has been made in the field of autism?
On April 11, a brain science public welfare salon themed “Treatment, Rehabilitation, and Growth of Children with Autism” was successfully held at the Digital Valley 5G Metaverse Experience Center. The event was co-hosted by Danlu Capital and Shangdong Beijing Digital Valley, with support from partners including Qingsong Club, Zhongguancun Bank, and Shidai Guanghua. The keynote speakers included Dr. Ji Xiaoyang, Project Leader of the “Super Brain” Knowledge-Driven Artificial Intelligence initiative at the Turing-Darwin Laboratory of the Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Professor Tsang Ngan-shing, Senior Professor at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto; and Professor Zhang Rong, Co-founder and Executive Deputy Director of the Autism Research Center at Peking University Health Science Center. Mr. Gao Jianfeng, CEO of Beishan Medical; Mr. Liu Hongzhi, CEO of Wucailu (Colorful Deer); and Mr. Wei Kecheng, CEO of UBRAIN Galaxy, delivered project presentations. The final session featured a roundtable discussion among the guests, exploring more effective methods for diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. The conference was conducted in a hybrid online-offline format, attracting nearly 300 participants from startups, investment institutions, and medical media within the autism sector.
The meeting was held byMr. Xu Qian, General Manager of Danlu Capital Beijing; Ms. Liu Li, President of Shangdong Digital ValleyDelivered a welcome address, expressing concern for the diagnosis and treatment of autism, as well as anticipation for this salon. Zhang Hongyu, General Manager of the Second Center of the Sci-Tech Innovation Finance Department at Beijing Zhongguancun Bank, shared exclusive sci-tech financial service solutions for enterprises.
Xu Qian, Managing Partner / General Manager, Beijing, Danlu Capital
Liu Li, President of Shangdong Digital Valley
Zhang Hongyu, General Manager of the Second Center, Sci-Tech Innovation Finance Department, Beijing Zhongguancun Bank
Topic Sharing
Dr. Ji Xiaoyang, Turing-Darwin Laboratory, Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesThis article introduces the construction process of an autism knowledge base, including the development of the world’s most sophisticated cognitive AI model for autism by Turing Darwin Lab, which forms a comprehensive knowledge base covering all aspects of autism. Based on a knowledge- and data-driven approach, it precisely maps mechanisms to clinical phenotypes, thereby enabling rationalized and precise treatment plans.
Ji Xiaoyang, Project Lead of the “Super Brain” Knowledge-Driven AI Initiative at the Turing-Darwin Laboratory
Professor Tsang Ka-tat, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto“Empowering Parents as the Driving Force Behind Their Children’s Learning and Growth: The Zhixing Yijing Intervention System” was shared in video format, highlighting the critical role of families in the rehabilitation of children with autism. The video also presented multiple case studies of children with autism, demonstrating how families participating in Zhixing Yijing support groups can collaboratively discuss challenges encountered in daily life and education, thereby achieving mutual assistance and support. Professor Zeng’s team has further compiled thousands of these cases into a database to provide data-driven support for treatment approaches for children with autism.
Senior Professor at the University of Toronto's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, Zeng Jiada
Director Zhang Rong, Autism Research Center, Peking University Health Science CenterThe presentation delved into intervention strategies for different social subtypes of autism, emphasizing the importance of the concept of social subtypes within clinical phenotypes. It also discussed the role of oxytocin in the development of sensory and social systems, offering new perspectives on personalized treatment for children with autism. Professor Zhang’s sharing was grounded not only in a robust scientific research background but also enriched by extensive clinical experience, providing attendees with valuable knowledge and insights.
Zhang Rong, Co-Founder and Executive Deputy Director of the Autism Research Center at Peking University Health Science Center
Project Pitch
The conference featured pitch presentations for three autism-related projects, which not only demonstrated the application of technology in autism treatment but also reflected the attention and support from all sectors of society for the treatment and rehabilitation of children with autism.
Gao Jianfeng, CEO of Beishan MedicalThe project was presented under the micro-theme “Intelligent Diagnostic Subtyping and Precision Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Construction and Application of an Integrated Innovation Platform.” Founded in 2021, Beishan Medical was established by a team of professionals specializing in neurobiology, cognitive psychology, and pediatrics. Leveraging a robust scientific research foundation, the company focuses on the core symptoms of moderate to severe autism spectrum disorder and provides a systematic medical solution for pediatric ASD that integrates screening, diagnosis, treatment, and therapeutic efficacy assessment.
Gao Jianfeng, CEO of Beishan Medical Technology
Liu Hongzhi, CEO of WucailuConducted a project roadshow under the theme “Pioneers in Rehabilitation Intervention for Children with Autism.” Founded in 2004, Five-Colored Deer is among the first companies to introduce evidence-based intervention methods from the United States into China. Its vision is to become the most trusted rehabilitation institution for childhood autism among parents, saving children with autism and their families through early intervention.
Liu Hongzhi, CEO of Wucailu
Wei Kecheng, CEO of Younao GalaxyConducted a project roadshow titled “Overcoming Autism: Identifying Effective Medical Interventions for Children on the Spectrum from a Neuroscience Perspective.” Founded in 2019, UBrain Galaxy has developed individualized brain functional parcellation technology (pBFS), which meets clinical standards, based on years of scientific research accumulation. This technology has been applied in 46 clinical cases of autism, achieving a 60% patient response rate, with some older autistic patients demonstrating significant improvements in communication abilities before and after treatment.
Wei Kecheng, CEO of UBrain Galaxy
The roundtable forum featured Professor Zhang Rong, Dr. Ji Xiaoyang, Wei Kecheng (CEO of Ubrain Galaxy), Liu Hongzhi (CEO of Wucailu), and Gao Jianfeng (CEO of Beishan Medical Technology) as panelists, with Xu Qian, Managing Partner at Danlu Capital, serving as the moderator. The participants engaged in in-depth discussions on breakthrough innovative therapies for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the integration of artificial intelligence into ASD treatment, and the translation of autism-related scientific research achievements into clinical applications.
From left to right: Xu Qian, Managing Partner of Danlu
Professor Zhang Rong, Co-Founder and Executive Deputy Director of the Autism Research Center at Peking University Health Science Center
Ji Xiaoyang, Project Leader of the “Super Brain” Knowledge-Driven Artificial Intelligence Project at the Turing-Darwin Laboratory
Wei Kecheng, CEO of UBrain Galaxy
Liu Hongzhi, CEO of Wucailu
Gao Jianfeng, CEO of Beishan Medical Technology
The successful hosting of this salon not only provided new ideas and methods for the treatment and rehabilitation of children with autism, but also promoted attention and understanding of autism issues across all sectors of society. We look forward to more such exchanges in the future, working together to create a more inclusive and supportive growth environment for children with autism.
As our understanding of autism deepens and treatment methods continue to innovate, we have reason to believe that children with autism will have a brighter future. Let us join hands to light the beacon of hope for these “children of the stars.”