Facilitator at Ascent Autism. Our mission is to help individuals build strong, meaningful relationships with their peers by addressing and enhancing social skills.

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Our mission is to help individuals build strong, meaningful relationships with their peers by addressing and enhancing social skills

Facilitator offering evidence-based peer group therapy session. Empowering individuals with autism to enhance their social skills.

Evidence-Based
Peer Group Therapy

We empower individuals with autism to enhance their social skills and form meaningful connections with peers through our proven program developed in collaboration with UCSF and Stanford Medical School. Over a thousand participants have benefited from our expert-designed approach, which curates supportive peer groups and provides a safe environment for practicing social skills, resulting in lasting friendships and enhanced social and emotional growth.

Where Science, Data, and Medicine Intersect

Ascent Autism brings together the latest advancements in science, data, and medicine to provide group therapy for individuals with autism.

Our science team, headed by Dr. Bennett Leventhal and Dr. Young Shin Kim, conducts research on the efficacy of our peer group therapy and measures the significant improvements our learners experience.

Young Shin Kim, MD, MPH, PhD

Young Shin Kim,
MD, MPH, PhD

Dr. Young Shin Kim is a Professor of Psychiatry at UCSF and Director of the Center for Autism. She has received multiple awards for her scientific achievement.

Bennett Leventhal, MD

Bennett Leventhal,
MD

Dr. Leventhal is a Professor of Psychiatry with 50+ years of experience working with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Meet The Founder

Hye Ryeon Lee, PhD established Ascent Autism to tackle the biggest challenges individuals on the spectrum face.


Inspired by parents devoted to volunteering with developmental disability organizations, she cultivated a lifelong mission to fostering socialization, learning, and joy among individuals with autism.

Meet Your Peer Group Facilitators

The mission of each Ascent Autism peer group facilitator is to create a safe and supportive environment where peers can practice their social skills, enabling them to form deeper social and emotional connections.

Along with years of experience in providing therapy to individuals on the autism spectrum, our facilitators complete Ascent’s Facilitator Training Program, equipping them with the skills to apply Ascent’s methods and monitor peers’ progress.