Initiative for autism awareness and support
"What will happen to my child when I'm no longer here?"
This is the painful question countless parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ask themselves—a question that haunted Professor Keun-Ah Cheon, a leading child psychiatrist at Severance Hospital. For years, families begged for answers: "Can my child live independently?" "Will they ever find meaningful work?" "Who will care for them when I'm gone?"
The Min Yoongi Treatment Center was born from these urgent, unspoken fears. Founded through the visionary partnership of Professor Cheon and BTS's SUGA (Min Yoongi), this pioneering center offers more than therapy—it offers a future. By blending evidence-based treatments with the transformative power of music and vocational training, we empower individuals with ASD to find their voice, build independence, and thrive in a world that often overlooks them.
This center is not just a treatment space but a beacon of hope for families and patients, embodying a long-held dream to create comprehensive support for individuals with developmental disabilities as they transition into adulthood.
Developmental disabilities encompass a range of challenges including delayed language, motor skills, emotional, cognitive and social development. Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication and repetitive behaviors. Despite common misconceptions, ASD is not a disease but a neurodevelopmental condition requiring tailored and multidisciplinary interventions.
Currently, there is no cure for ASD, making early detection and intervention critical. The Center emphasizes early and personalized treatment plans to maximize developmental outcomes.
Music is a powerful medium that transcends language barriers, making it an ideal tool for children with limited verbal skills. The center uses music therapy to:
Professor Cheon said there is a comprehensive meta-analysis published in the Cochrane Review, which analyzed 10 randomized controlled trials involving 165 participants. The research demonstrated significant improvements in social interaction, nonverbal communication skills, and parent-child relationships through music therapy.
The program collaborated with SUGA consisted of 10 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. Significant breakthroughs were observed during the therapy sessions. In one memorable session, when SUGA played the song "Bicycle Riding Scene," a child excitedly exclaimed, "I know that song!" and began singing along enthusiastically, explaining they often heard it during camping trips with their father. This spontaneous connection demonstrated music's power to bridge communication gaps.
The Center's MIND Program integrates these evidence-based music therapy techniques with established treatments like Applied Behavior Analysis, speech therapy and social skills training therapy to create a holistic therapeutic experience. SUGA's hands-on participation—adjusting his guitar playing to match each child's speech rhythm and energy level—provided invaluable real-world validation of the approach's effectiveness.
Music - Enhancing interaction through musical experiences
Interaction - Facilitating communication and relationships
Network - Learning social dynamics in community settings
Diversity - Embracing individual uniqueness
The MIND Program is designed to help children with varying levels of ability develop the skills needed for independent living and meaningful social participation through three progressive stages:
SUGA (Min Yoongi) of BTS has been deeply involved in this project, donating 5 billion won (approx. USD $3.6 million) in financial support and actively participating in therapy sessions. His passion for mental health and developmental disorders inspired the creation of the center.
Professor Cheon recalls their first meeting: "SUGA read my 500-page textbook on autism spectrum disorder and asked profound questions. His sincerity moved me to create this new program." During therapy sessions, SUGA worked alongside children as "Mr. Min," matching their breathing and eye level without revealing his celebrity status.
SUGA's belief that "music is more than just sound; it's a channel for expressing the heart and connecting with the world" is the foundation of the center's philosophy. His personal experience with a childhood friend who had autism deepened his commitment to this cause.
The Center plans to expand its programs to include other art forms like visual arts and sports, creating diverse vocational opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Upcoming initiatives include:
This center aims to reduce social costs by empowering children and adolescents with ASD to become socially independent, productive members of society while changing public perceptions about developmental disabilities.