Every parent remembers their child’s first words or worries when they don’t come on time. For families navigating autism, that uncertainty can stretch into years of waiting, wondering, and searching for help.
In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, host Omkar Kulkarni talks to three leaders who are changing that story:
Dr. Colleen Kraft, past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, shares how pediatricians are detecting autism earlier than ever before. New tools like Canvas Dx, powered by AI from Cognoa, allow families and doctors to screen children as young as 18 months, using short home videos and structured questions.
Dr. Sharief Taraman, CEO of Cognoa, explains how technology is scaling access: “With Canvas Dx, specialists can see up to eight patients a day instead of two, dramatically shortening diagnosis wait times.” And earlier diagnoses means earlier treatment which can lead to better outcomes.
Vijay Ravindran, founder and CEO of Floreo, has created a virtual reality therapy platform that lets children safely practice everyday scenarios, crossing the street, interacting with peers, or even talking with law enforcement. What began as a personal project to help his son has become a global tool for neurodiverse learners.
Together, these stories reveal a hopeful truth: innovation and compassion can work hand-in-hand. From AI diagnosis to VR therapy, the autism care journey is being rewritten, faster, smarter, and more human.
Listen to the full episode for your dose of optimism about the future of children’s health.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Early autism screening and why pediatricians are critical to detection
- How AI and tools like Canvas Dx (Cognoa) are changing diagnosis timelines
- The impact of earlier intervention on brain development and outcomes
- Using virtual reality (Floreo) to help children practice real-life social and safety skills
- The role of empathy, accessibility, and family-centered care in digital innovation
- How parental advocacy and technology can work hand in hand to improve care
About Colleen Kraft:
Colleen A. Kraft, MD, MBA, FAAP is the 2018 Past President of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her background includes work in primary care pediatrics, pediatric education, and health care financing.
Dr. Kraft led a pediatric accountable care program at Cincinnati Children’s from 2014-2017. Her financial model incorporated investments to address social determinants of health, population health data-driven quality improvement initiatives and improved payment for primary care services. Dr. Kraft served as Interim Medical Director for the Complex Care Program at Cincinnati Children’s from 2016-2017, where she led family-centered design with team-based professionals in the care of medically complex children. She was the Primary Investigator at Cincinnati Children’s for the Children’s Hospital Association Health Care Innovation Award.
Dr. Kraft was the Founding Program Director of the Pediatric Residency at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. She developed a Health Care Policy and Management Elective for residents during her time in Roanoke, Virginia. As a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Advisor, she developed practice design models utilizing home visitors as in-home care managers which resulted in improved medical, behavioral, and educational outcomes.
As President of the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2018, Dr. Kraft is best known for her advocacy for humane treatment of migrant children at the US-Mexico border. Her explanation to the public regarding the harm to young children during the “Zero Tolerance” policy that included separation of children from parents at the border help to mobilize advocates across the political spectrum to end this policy. She continues to advocate for basic child rights for children throughout the world.
About Sharief Taraman:
Dr. Sharief Taraman, is dual board-certified in Neurology with special qualifications in Child Neurology from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and Clinical Informatics from the American Board of Preventive Medicine.
Dr. Taraman was the former Division Chief of Pediatric Neurology at Children’s Health of Orange County and University of California-Irvine. He remains an active member of the medical staff and the Sharon Disney Lund Medical Intelligence, Information, Investigation, & Innovation Institute at CHOC.
He is a Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor at UC Irvine School of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics and Affiliate Professor at Chapman University, Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler School of Engineering.
Dr. Taraman is active in the community as the past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Orange County Chapter, board member of AAP-California, and committee member for the development of the AAP National CHILD health registry. He also serves on the Irvine Unified School District Medical Advisory Board, volunteers for the Capistrano Unified School District and with Girl Scouts of Orange County.
Recognized globally as an innovator and specifically an advocate in the field of pediatrics, Dr. Taraman has been involved with the development of multiple FDA designated breakthrough devices, awardee of the prestigious National Capital Consortium for Pediatric Device Innovation grant, and is an advisor to Board of Directors for the International Society for Pediatric Innovation.
He is the Chief Executive Officer at Cognoa and formerly served as the Chief Medical Officer leading the clinical trials that led to the FDA authorization of Cognoa’s lead product, Canvas Dx, the first and only FDA authorized diagnostic device for autism for children 18-72 months old with concern for developmental delay.
Dr. Taraman graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Michigan having majored in Biochemistry. He completed his medical education at Wayne State University School of Medicine and went on to complete residency and fellowship training in Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology at the Detroit Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Michigan. He continued professional development through the University of California, Irvine – The Paul Merage School of Business with certifications in Leadership for Healthcare Transformation & Physician Leadership.
About Vijay Ravindran:
Vijay Ravindran is the founder and CEO of Floreo, a venture-backed start-up developing virtual reality learning for people with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and anxiety.
Ravindran’s career spans digital commerce and news media. He joined Amazon in 1998 when the company sold books and music. He later served as director of the ordering department at Amazon and led the team that launched Amazon Prime. As Chief Digital Officer for The Washington Post Company, he founded WaPo Labs and oversaw the development of over a dozen products in digital news and launched Washington Post Social Reader and Trove, a personalized news web application.
