Meet Yi-Hong
Profile
Diagnosis
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (Mild Autism)
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Learning disabilities
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Challenges in mental arithmetic, logical thinking, and visual search
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IQ 70
Current Role
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Chief Leader of TAAA
TAAA Art Learning Experience
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26 years
Educational Journey
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Taipei Catholic Shinguang Kindergarten
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Ren’ai Elementary School, Taipei City — Resource Class Support
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Jinhua Junior High School, Taipei City — Resource Class Support
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Concordia Yuda Senior High School, Taipei City — Advertising Design Department
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Chinese Culture University, School of Continuing Education — Digital Media Bachelor’s Program, with Resource Classroom Support
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Northwest Normal University, Gansu Province, China — Publicly Funded Exchange Student
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National Dong Hwa University, College of Education — Graduate Institute of Special Education, with Resource Classroom Support; Master’s Degree in Special Education
Honors& Recognition
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National Science and Technology Council Undergraduate Research Program
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Exhibitions at Harvard University and Dallas, USA
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Rotary Master’s Scholarship (China)
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Honorary Citizen of Richardson, Dallas, USA
Professional Focus
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Special education
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Art education
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Martial arts instruction and performance
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Language instruction
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Multiple-development education
Interests
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Painting
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Sports
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Martial arts
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Crosstalk
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Indigenous cultures
Professional Training
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Completed professional Western culinary training
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Holds related culinary certification
2. My Story
Growing Through Art, Education, and Leadership
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Yi-Hong Chen was diagnosed with autism and learning disabilities in early childhood, with particular challenges in mental arithmetic, logical thinking, and visual search. Despite these difficulties, he developed strong interests in painting, sports, martial arts, crosstalk, and Indigenous cultures. Over time, these interests became important pathways for learning, self-expression, confidence, and personal development.
His educational journey has been shaped by both perseverance and sustained support. From resource-class support during elementary and junior high school, to studying Advertising Design in high school and Digital Media at Chinese Culture University, Yi-Hong continued to build his skills through structured learning environments. He later participated as a publicly funded exchange student at Northwest Normal University in Gansu Province, China, broadening his academic and cultural experiences.
Yi-Hong eventually pursued graduate studies in special education at National Dong Hwa University, where he received resource classroom support and earned a master’s degree in Special Education. He also received a Rotary China Scholarship, further encouraging his continued development in education and multiple areas of learning.
Through years of structured training in art, martial arts, language, and performance, Yi-Hong gradually developed a wide range of abilities. His journey reflects a continuous process of growth—transforming challenges into opportunities for expression, participation, and development.
Martial arts has played an especially important role in his growth. Through long-term training and public performances, including kung fu demonstrations, he strengthened his physical coordination, concentration, discipline, and self-confidence. These experiences also gave him opportunities to communicate, connect with others, and express himself in ways beyond spoken language.
Yi-Hong has also completed professional Western culinary training and obtained certification, continuing to broaden his practical skills through lifelong learning.
Today, the experiences he once gained as a learner, artist, and performer have become an important foundation for the way he supports and guides others.
3. Martial Arts & Performance
“Martial arts is more than physical training—it is a practice of focus, balance, confidence, and self-expression.”
Martial arts has been an important part of Yi-Hong’s development. Through years of training and public performances, he has strengthened his coordination, concentration, discipline, and confidence.
Kung fu demonstrations have also provided opportunities for Yi-Hong to engage with audiences and communicate through movement and performance. These experiences illustrate how structured physical training can become another pathway for expression, participation, and personal growth.
2024 Yi-Hong’s Shaolin Kung Fu Showcase
Tzu Chi Foundation · Xindian Jing Si Hall
4. From Learner to Leader
Yi-Hong Chen serves as Chief Leader of TAAA and holds a master’s degree in Special Education from National Dong Hwa University.
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Diagnosed with autism and learning disabilities in early childhood, Yi-Hong has developed a wide range of abilities through years of structured training in art, martial arts, language, and performance. His journey reflects a continuous process of growth—transforming challenges into pathways for expression, confidence, and development.
Today, Yi-Hong is not only a learner, artist, and performer, but also an educator and mentor. He supports younger autistic students through art, martial arts, language, and movement, guiding them to step beyond familiar environments, explore the world, and build confidence in their own abilities.
Drawing from his own experiences, Yi-Hong understands that development can take many different forms. He accompanies students as they discover their strengths, develop practical skills, participate more actively in their communities, and gradually build greater independence.
He believes that every individual has unique potential, and that through the integration of art and education, more inclusive opportunities can be created for autistic individuals to participate confidently in society, develop their strengths, and realize their own value.