The International Autism Conference: An opportunity to change the lives of millions of autistic people around the world

The International Conference on Advances in Autism Research: Challenges and Solutions, organized by the Zayed Higher Foundation in collaboration with the Emirates Researchers Center for Research and Studies, ADNOC, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, and Lotus Holistic Group Abu Dhabi, kicked off on April 27 at the Abu Dhabi Energy Center.

In his opening speech, HE Abdullah Abdulali Al Humaidan, Secretary General of the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, announced the launch of the International Journal of Autism Problems and Solutions, the first journal of its kind in the region, which aims to address the important challenges faced by individuals with autism, and provide a platform for researchers, clinicians and experts to share innovative insights, new solutions and the latest developments in the field of autism.

Over the course of four days, about 20 sessions, 41 specialized workshops, 91 lectures and a number of dialogue sessions with parents and decision-makers, with the participation of more than 100 speakers from more than 20 countries specialized in the fields of behavior modification and biomedicine and its developments, which played a major role in enhancing the awareness and knowledge of all attendees and participants, and will undoubtedly contribute to improving the level of services provided to individuals with autism spectrum disorder, their families and caregivers.

The conference concluded its activities on April 30, after reaching some conclusions and recommendations that the various institutions pledged to work on during the next phase by developing a solid action plan to implement them

The recommendations included the following:

First: The conference called for the preparation of a survey to count cases of autism at the level of countries, and to detect multiple cases to benefit from them in studies and research, in addition to promoting the use of artificial intelligence in the education of children with autism as a means of diagnosis and education, and intensifying awareness programs for members of all segments of society, and introducing warning signs to newborns to inform them of the early symptoms of the autism spectrum.

II: The need to work to protect autistic children, guide students on how to deal with this group, and work to activate educational bodies to take care of integrating autistic children with their classmates in schools, provide support staff for the educational integration of students with autism, especially the accompanying teacher, and encourage educational programs between different disciplines to work with autistic children.

Third: Applying the initial survey forms for health units to identify the most serious cases of autism and refer them for diagnosis and early intervention services, and seeking to prepare research groups represented by different specialists willing to cooperate from different countries in the field of scientific research on autism and forming teams that include integrated specialties

Fourth: The conference recommended seeking to establish a laboratory to conduct medical analyzes based on biomarkers that have been scientifically approved and published in high-impact scientific journals, and to promote the importance of a balanced healthy diet during pregnancy and the early years and not to resort to cesarean delivery except in cases of necessity.

Participants in the conference also called for providing suitable jobs for autistic students to prove their worth according to the requirements of the labor market, encouraging talents and hobbies and publishing the work of distinguished individuals in various scientific, educational, sports and artistic fields, in addition to conducting workshops and training lectures for those working in the field of autism on mental health for parents, how to deal positively with children, and empowerment to understand their needs.

You can find out more about AUS and UAE researchers announce the Sharjah International Conference on Linguistic Intelligence here: https://www.emiratesscholar.com/ar/%d9%85%d8%a4%d8%aa%d9%85%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b4%d8%a7%d8%b1%d9%82%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%af%d9%88%d9%84%d9%8a-%d9%84%d9%84%d8%b0%d9%83%d8%a7%d8%a1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%84%d8%ba%d9%88%d9%8a-%d8%a3%d8%b9/