Severance Hospital and the Korean American Special Education Center (KASEC) have partnered to support individuals with developmental disabilities in Korea and the United States.

The Severance Autism and Developmental Disorder Center recently signed an agreement with KASEC to create a network that aids people with developmental disabilities in both countries, the hospital said on Friday.

The agreement outlines various avenues for mutual cooperation, including program development and the exchange of experts to assist individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in both the U.S. and Korea.

As part of their initial collaboration, Severance Hospital Professor Cheon Keun-ah will present a lecture on the latest research and trends in the field of developmental disabilities at KASEC's 25th anniversary conference in Los Angeles this July. Cheon is the director of the Severance Autism and Developmental Disorder Center.

The Severance Autism and Developmental Disorder Center plans to leverage the agreement to develop an efficient, systematic international support program for individuals with developmental disabilities, the hospital added.

“We hope this international agreement will help create a more comprehensive and sustainable support system for people with developmental disabilities and their families in both countries,” said Professor Cheon.

Rosa Chang, executive director of KASEC, expressed hope that the agreement would facilitate expert exchanges between the two organizations and offer practical support to families in both countries.

Founded in 2000, KASEC is a non-profit organization established by developmental disability experts. It has been serving Korean Americans with developmental disabilities and their families for 25 years.

Severance Hospital, designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in March 2023 as the Severance Autism and Developmental Disorder Center, has been strengthening international cooperation by hosting symposiums with experts from Korea, the U.S., and Japan to discuss ways to support the treatment and independence of adults with developmental disabilities.