Mom dedicates life to autism education, founds Asperger’s Syndrome Association

Today we meet a new immigrant who has spent almost 30 years supporting families with life with autism. Chen Hsi-chen came to Taiwan from China’s Sichuan province. Her daughter was just 5 years old when she was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. At first, Chen was devastated, but over the years the family has found ways to live happily with the condition. Chen founded the Asperger Syndrome Association to support others on similar journeys, and now she tours the country providing education and training to parents.

Chen Hsi-chen came to Taiwan many years ago for marriage. But when her first child was still just a baby, her husband died suddenly of heart disease, leaving her with no family nearby to turn to. Before long, Chen realized her daughter had delayed speech development and emotional difficulties. Eventually, her daughter was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Chen Hsi-chen
Chinese immigrant
When she was very small, she had no language at all. When she was two or three, she wouldn’t say “mommy.” She would hit herself and have big emotions – perhaps she wanted to express something, but we didn’t understand.

Chen has been at her daughter’s side ever since. And from those early days of nonspeaking, her daughter has gradually developed more and more social skills. As Chen quickly realized, there are many families living with autism, and she found lots of encouragement from other parents. She founded the Asperger Syndrome Association, helping other families through the panic that can follow a diagnosis.

Rather than bemoaning her lot, Chen discovered within herself more and more energy, not only for parenting, but also to support more and more families on their journey.

Chen Hsi-chen
Chinese immigrant
I’ve been here for 28 years, so lots of people have helped me. When we have the capacity to help others, I think in the years I have left to me I want to do more to give back to society. We are the mothers of Taiwan’s children, we are the daughters-in-law of Taiwan, so we play our part, and reduce a little bit of the discrimination that we receive as new immigrants.

As Chen looks back on her work, she says that raising a child with autism means a lifetime of learning and care. She hopes that more families will join in her efforts to come together and support the families who need it most, creating a social safety net where nobody drops through the cracks.