Autism Speaks, the world’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, is a sponsor of the first-ever International Autism Conference (IAC) in Manila, Philippines. The conference, reaching out to the Asian autism community and organized by the Autism Hearts Foundation and Autism Hearts Philippines, is being co-sponsored by Autism Speaks with partners UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, Philippine Society for Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics and the Autism Society of the Philippines.

The IAC will gather medical experts from around the world to present the most current research, knowledge and information on diagnosis, assessment and treatments of autism spectrum disorders ASD, as well as to review current policies to create a baseline from which to support individuals on the spectrum and their families. The conference will also launch the Global Autism Public Health Initiative in the Philippines (GAPH Philippines), a partnership between the Autism Hearts Foundation and Autism Speaks. The GAPH initiative is an innovative, integrated approach with partners worldwide that focuses on increasing public and professional awareness of ASD; increasing research expertise and international collaboration through training of autism researchers, with a focus on epidemiology, screening and early diagnosis, and treatment, and enhancing service delivery by providing training and expertise to service providers in early diagnosis and intervention.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will serve as the Keynote Speaker and the First Gentleman, Attorney Jose Miguel T. Arroyo, will be the honorary conference chair. Both will attend the IAC opening ceremony on Wednesday, February 3.

“Autism Speaks is pleased to formalize our relationship with the Philippines,” said Andy Shih, Ph.D., Autism Speaks vice president for scientific affairs. “Autism Speaks has already made a $1 million commitment to speed our international collaboration efforts in the areas of science, research and epidemiology. We have translated screening and diagnostic instruments in at least eight languages, spoken by an estimated 1.75 billion people worldwide, an essential first step in local diagnosis of individuals with autism. Once prevalence can be estimated by these diagnostic efforts, GAPH can support countries such as the Philippines in crafting policy and shaping services to serve their local populations impacted by autism.” Dr. Shih will be speaking at the conference, along with two other Autism Speaks experts.

About Autism: Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 110 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

Source:
Jane E. Rubinstein
Autism Speaks