On the morning of 29 March 2026, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital organized a program titled “Meeting with families of children with autism spectrum disorder,” attended by a large number of parents, healthcare professionals, and experts in child and adolescent mental health. This meaningful activity was held in observance of World Autism Awareness Day (2 April) and aimed to strengthen connections, raise community awareness, and support families on their caregiving and intervention journey for children.
More than 100 parents and healthcare professionals attended the program.
The program featured thematic sessions delivered by Vietnam National Children’s Hospital staff, designed to closely address practical issues that parents commonly care about during interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including:
- Strategies for teaching appropriate behaviors for children with ASD – Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Linh (Teacher) and Ms. Pham Linh Trang (Nurse).
- Using visual supports to facilitate communication and behavior management for children with ASD – Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Yen, MSc and Ms. Nguyen Tran Thuy Linh (Specialist).
- Nutrition for children with ASD – Dr. Nguyen The Tai, MSc (Resident Physician).
The sessions focused on practical intervention solutions for children with ASD.
The presented contents provided useful, highly applicable knowledge that parents could implement immediately in home-based care. Experts also emphasized that a child’s progress is reflected not only in speech or behavior but also in subtle changes in emotions and in the child’s connection with the family.
A key highlight of the program was the discussion and Q&A session, which drew active participation from parents. Many practical questions were raised regarding common challenges in caregiving, such as managing challenging behaviors, supporting communication, building daily routines, nutrition, and parents’ psychological difficulties.
Experts listened directly, analyzed individual situations, and provided specific guidance tailored to each case. The discussion also created a two-way exchange space where parents could share experiences, learn from one another, and find empathy from families in similar circumstances.
The discussion session attracted active participation from parents.
In his remarks at the program, Dr. Cao Viet Tung, MD—Deputy Director of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital—emphasized the central role of the family in the care and intervention for children with ASD. This is a long-term journey requiring close coordination between healthcare professionals and parents, with the family playing a key role. The healthcare team understands the pressures and difficulties parents experience and wishes to accompany and support families throughout the process.
Dr. Cao Viet Tung noted that such meetings not only provide knowledge but also serve as an important bridge enabling parents to be heard, share experiences, and support one another. They also offer healthcare staff the opportunity to receive real-world feedback from families, thereby improving the quality of care and providing more comprehensive support for children.
Dr. Cao Viet Tung emphasized the role of the family in caring for children with autism.
From a professional perspective, Dr. Nguyen Mai Huong, MD—Deputy Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Head of the Department of Adolescent Medicine—shared that 2026 marks the 18th World Autism Awareness Day and the 10th anniversary of Viet Nam’s implementation of community awareness-raising activities. Each year, to respond to this event and accompany families, the Department of Psychiatry – Vietnam National Children’s Hospital has maintained an annual meeting, serving as a bridge between families and healthcare professionals. The program focuses on the topics parents are most concerned about—behavior management, communication support, nutrition, and sleep—helping parents improve caregiving skills and working toward long-term stability and progress for children.
Dr. Nguyen Mai Huong, MD—an expert with many years of experience accompanying children with autism—shared at the program.
The meeting was held in an open and highly connected atmosphere, providing not only professional knowledge but also helping spread a humane message of understanding, sharing, and companionship with children with autism. In the coming period, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital will continue to strengthen community support activities and enhance coordination between families and healthcare facilities, toward the goal of improving treatment outcomes and quality of life for children with ASD.
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