By Muntaha Rahman, Youth Advisory Council member. The following reflects Muntaha’s lived experiences, thoughts, and opinions. As a child, I remember how comforting it felt to know that, regardless of whether I was able to pack a lunch from home, I always had one waiting for me at school. I didn’t realize it at the … Read more
We are a youth-led nonprofit with a mission to break barriers for neurodivergent youth globally by amplifying youth stories, championing strengths, mobilizing allies, fighting stigma, and pushing for inclusive spaces, universal design, assistive technologies, and public policy.Neurodiversity includes everyone. Differences are not deficits. Join us in building a peer-to-peer network of youth champions worldwide, fostering … Read more
By Nikhil Reddy, Youth Advisory Council member. The following reflects Nikhil’s lived experiences, thoughts, and opinions. This past June, I finished up my first year at Stanford. It was an incredible year of learning and growth as I explored my interests in business and computer science. However, above all else, one peculiarity so deeply ingrained … Read more
By Sahana Srikanth, Youth Advisory Council member. The following reflects Sahana’s lived experiences, thoughts, and opinions. On May 22, 2025, the White House released its sweeping MAHA Report, led by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Report intended to focus on drivers behind the rise in childhood chronic disease … Read more
We had 50 incredible youth attendees from 17 states, eight youth-led presentations, and 18 total youth presenters. Students attended workshops on various topics, including learning to advocate for one’s health services and how to speak with providers, innovations in medical technology, and strategies for fighting youth substance abuse. Most importantly, youth experienced the power of … Read more
By Ketan Tamirisa, SBHA Board Member and Youth Advisory Council member. The following reflects Ketan’s lived experiences, thoughts, and opinions. The air outside turns hazy orange. Wildfire smoke pervades the air, suffocating those who dare to breathe. The air tastes like ash, and smoke quickly starts to rise. What seems like a scene from your … Read more
By Justin Wang, SBHA Board Member and Youth Advisory Council member The following reflects Justin’s lived experiences, thoughts, and opinions. Ever since I started my time at Stanford, I have been surrounded by constant reminders of artificial intelligence (AI) and its increasing role in our day-to-day lives. Stanford’s Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) Lab and Artificial … Read more
By Joey Kaji, SBHA Board Member and Youth Advisory Council member The following reflects Joey’s lived experiences, thoughts, and opinions. Growing up, there is always an emphasis on maintaining our own health. In elementary school, it starts with our parents making sure we eat our fruits and vegetables. In middle school, it continued forward to … Read more
By Nikhil Reddy, SBHA Youth Advisory Council member The following reflects Nikhil’s lived experiences, thoughts, and opinions. In the summer leading up to my senior year, I had the opportunity to work at UT Southwestern Medical Center. In the Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, I worked under a diverse group of medical professionals and clinical … Read more
By Rikhil Ranjit, SBHA Youth Advisory Council member The following reflects Rikhil’s lived experiences, thoughts, and opinions. As teens, we have probably seen more and more students turning to drugs for wide-ranging reasons. Personally, Georgia’s Forsyth County has seen a dramatic growth of high school students turning to the abuse of alcohol, marijuana, and, more … Read more
