Autism is impacting 1 in 44 children in the United States: how do we serve this growing number?

Dr. Saba Torabian is the founder and CEO of ICAN. Her passion and inspiration to help children and families affected by autism came after both of her sons, Cameron and Ryan Bassiri, were diagnosed with autism. Living with autism with her two children over the years made her learn and understand what an autism family really needs. Over the years, Saba sought out almost all possible treatments for her kids to notice the lack of effective treatments and services not only for the children who are affected by autism but also for their families. She kept daily journals of her daily observations she experienced not only as a mother of two boys with autism but also as an autism researcher and professional. These observations turned into ideas and these ideas later on turned into a center she called Intervention Center for Autism Needs LLC (ICAN).

Saba received her PhD in Child and Human Development at the University of California Davis where she worked with children between the ages of 8-16 who were affected by autism and ADHD. She received her first Master’s degree from San Francisco State University in Social Psychology and her second Master’s degree from UC Davis in Child Development. She is currently a psychology faculty member at San Jose State University where she has formed her own autism research lab focusing on the epidemiology and etiology of autism.