Embracing Neurodiversity in Asian-American & Pacific Islander Communities: An Intersectional Approach to Reclaiming Our Narratives

In many Asian-American & Pacific Islander communities, autism, neurodiversity, and mental health are often shaped by stigma and silence. In this interactive session, Dennis Tran explores how identity, culture, and systems influence these narratives and how we can begin to reclaim them. Through storytelling and reflection, participants will be invited to move from stigma to empowerment, visibility, and belonging.


About Dennis Tran:
Dennis Tran (he/him) is a queer, disabled, late-identified autistic-ADHDer and partially blind Vietnamese American storyteller, speaker, and inclusion strategist based in Los Angeles. With a background in public health, media, digital health, and nonprofit leadership, Dennis bridges lived experience with systems change to advance neurodiversity, disability justice, mental health advocacy, and psychological safety, particularly the AANHPI community, building systems rooted in access and community care that is humane and inclusive. He has consulted on inclusive storytelling and representation in children’s media, including Blue’s Clues & You, introducing its first autistic character, and developed accessibility-focused curricula and national resource toolkits. His work has helped shape inclusive curricula, accessible digital platforms, and community-centered programs impacting hundreds of thousands nationwide. A LEAP Impact Program 2024–2025 alumnus, Dennis has spoken at UCLA, UCSF, Sony Pictures, Autodesk, and the ADHD International Conference, leveraging storytelling as a tool for healing, advocacy, and belonging, and he has been featured in The Mighty, Jubilee Media, Business Insider, SHRM, and AsAM News.

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