We have established the Parents’ Executive Committee to ensure that all parents can participate in the foundation’s work, understand the situations of different families, and provide encouragement and support in various aspects. The members of the Parents’ Executive Committee are rotated every two years. We welcome everyone to sign up for service. With more people participating, our cause can benefit more families with autism.
The current members of the Parents’ Executive Committee are:
I’m Lisa Xiaoli Zhang, born in Heilongjiang. I have one son named Bryan, born in July 1997. Diagnosed
with autism when he was two and a half years old. We came to the U.S. in March 2003, while taking care
of Bryan, my husband and I started our own company here. In the process of growing up with Bryan, I
summed up an experience: all efforts will be rewarded. Currently, Bryan has graduated from UCSB and
has a stable job.
Jing Wu is from Guangzhou, China. She graduated from SCUT and Harvard and is a Landscape Architect. She is
also a registered rep and investment advisor. In order to help her ASD son’s growth and recovery, she explores varies resources. She shares her experience with other families in the community and becomes an IF for Self Determination Program. Her efforts will help those special need kids with a better future.
My name is Irene Leung. I’m a stay at home mother. I take care of two children with autism. I had
worked in early childhood education in Hong Kong for many years. In recent years I have been engaged
in some charity work related to autistic children. I hope I can share some experiences with everybody,
lend everyone some support and encouragement on this difficult road. Every autistic kid is an angel.
Lead them, guide them and walk with them. I believe, tomorrow will be a better day.
Dr. Zhilei (Julie) Liu Shen is an Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at USC Norris Cancer Hospital. She received her doctorate degree in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. She is passionate about building an inclusive community and advocating for kids with neurodiversity because her son is on the Autism spectrum. She is excited to serve on the Franklin Foundation parent committee, where her passion and expertise will make positive change. Let us make the world a better place, one family and one community at a time.
My name is Sisi Wu. I am a mother of 3 children. I worked as a teacher in Beijing and I worked for a US company based in Beijing for some years. I came to the United States to do a business on my own for many years, and I am now retired, partly so I can spend more time with my youngest son, Caden.
My son, Caden, is almost 18 years old. He was diagnosed with developmental delay and autism since he was little. I couldn’t accept it at first, but then when he was around 8 years old, I started actively taking him to do various corrective exercises and participate in various activities to improve his autism symptoms.
Over the past ten years, there have been many hardships and many detours. For example, Caden has been thin since he was a child, had digestive issues, frequent diarrhea, he wet the bed several times a night, and got tired easily. When he was little, he had no sense of the environment and himself. For example, he would not be aware that he dropped his shoe when he was walking. He would also often urinate in his pants. He did not interact with other people. He did not talk.
Now, Caden is over 6 feet tall. He stands straight and tall. He does not have any more digestive problems at all and never wets the bed. He can take care of himself mostly and is still improving. He is getting better at interacting with people and will talk some when prompted to talk.
Therefore, as long as parents do not give up, and if they accompany and encourage and support their children, their children will improve day by day. Do not compare your child with normal children, and do not compare your child with children with milder symptoms. Compare your child with your child’s past, and applaud and cheer for every bit of progress of your child. With more encouragement, more love, and more companionship, our child will surely get better and better.