[ORIGINALLY POSTED AT THE PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE TRAVEL
& LEISURE SECTION)
IRELAND'S FIRST INTERNATIONAL AUTISM
CONFERENCE
[PHOTO - The Irish Centre for Autism and
Neurodevelopment Research at NUI Galway, in partnership with
Autism Speaks and The American Ireland Fund, Launch the First
International Autism Conference in Ireland]
GALWAY, IRELAND,
JANUARY 12, 2012 (FOR PHNO) FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE - FROM AUTISM SPEAKS, Brown Lloyd James Katie Hill –
212.486.7070;
katieh@brownlloydjames.com
IRISH HEALTH MINISTRY ANNOUNCES MAJOR FUNDING INCREASE TO
SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AT IRELAND’S FIRST
INTERNATIONAL AUTISM CONFERENCE
Irish Minister for Health James Reilly
Allocates €1m in Additional Funding for Autism
GALWAY, IRELAND (January 13, 2012) –
Irish Minister
for Health Dr. James Reilly (photo) today announced the
allocation of €1m in additional funding to address the needs of
children with autism this year, with a further €1m following
over each of the next two years - €3m in total. His announcement
came at the conclusion of Ireland's first international autism
conference, “Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Clinical Practice to
Educational Provision,” which took place from January 12 to
January 13, 2012, and was convened by The Irish Centre for
Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, at NUI Galway, in
partnership with Autism Speaks, The American Ireland Fund, and
Galway University Foundation.
“For school age children with disabilities, including autism,
access to therapy supports contributes significantly to the
extent to which they can engage in school life and with the
curriculum. In this context, additional funding is being
allocated to address existing waiting lists and ensure that
children with autism receive the supports they require to
achieve their full potential,” said Dr. Reilly.
An estimated 1 in 100 children in the UK is on the autism
spectrum, or 1%, which is what researchers suggest is the global
prevalence.
Over 600 international autism experts, researchers,
healthcare professionals, teachers, and parents gathered at the
conference to discuss best practices from diagnosis to
intervention and associated medical conditions. Experts
presented the latest research on early signs of autism and the
use of medication for people on the autism spectrum.
Experts that attended included Professor Connie Kasari,
Ph.D., from the Centre for Autism Research and Treatment at
UCLA; Professor Cathy Lord, Ph.D., Director of the Weill Cornell
Medical College and New York Presbyterian Hospital Institute for
Brain Development; Professor Richard Foxx, Ph.D., of Penn State
University; and Professor Helen McConachie, Ph.D., of Newcastle
University.
“This is a tremendous example of transatlantic cooperation to
tackle one of the most demanding and complex issues affecting
millions of families worldwide,” said Kieran McLoughlin, CEO of
the American Ireland Fund. “The partnership between Autism
Speaks and NUI Galway and the willing support of our donors is a
wonderfully tangible expression of the depth of Irish-American
relations.”
Virginia Bovell, founding parent of the Tree House School in
London, spoke about her longtime campaign for autism services in
England and experience raising her son Danny, who is on the
autism spectrum, in the context of the wider policy and
intellectual environment.
Ms. Bovell, who received her masters degree and is currently
studying for a doctorate in medical ethics and law, suggested
future social policy goals should include 1) access to relevant
and appropriate support will be available to all, without
struggle, and across the lifespan 2) developments in autism
research and practice will be informed and led by a partnership
of stakeholders, professionals and researchers.
“Having a child with autism has been an amazing journey, and
it’s a real pleasure and privilege to share some of that at this
conference at NUI Galway. The work of the Irish Centre for
Autism and Neurodevelopment Research is truly exciting and I am
sure will help many people directly and by inspiring others,”
said Ms. Bovell. “Setting up Tree House and seeing it grow over
time has been a big adventure, I’m just thrilled to know that we
are all – wherever we live – dedicated to making lives better
for people with autism and their families.”
The conference unveiled the latest autism research covering
early diagnosis, practical solutions, clinical management,
education and adult service provision.
Adrian Jones, a parent of an autistic child who is a board
member of Autism Speaks and of the American Ireland Fund
welcomed the conference. “Our family has been dealing with
autism since we got Liam's diagnosis 10 years ago, during which
time we have been fortunate to benefit from the insight and
guidance of experts in the field,” Jones said. “We've seen the
impact that Autism Speaks has had in generating awareness
throughout the U.S., and the tangible benefits to families of
its many programme initiatives. We hope the insights of global
experts at this conference will accelerate improvements in care
for children and adults with autism.”
Parents of children with autism participated in workshops on
early intervention, caring for children on the autism spectrum,
new technologies and practical strategies for schools.
President of NUI Galway Dr. Jim Browne said the conference
highlighted NUI Galway’s commitment to autism research and
underscored the translational dimension of the university’s
work. “With over 600 parents, professionals and support workers
present to learn from best international practice, we are
bringing our research-led teaching from the clinic to classroom
and back again,” Browne said. “This conference will be an
important landmark for many families affected by autism.”
The Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research at NUI
Galway will be officially launched on Friday, February 24, 2012.
For further information on the conference, or to register,
visit www.conference.ie.
About NUI Galway NUI Galway* is one of Ireland’s foremost
centres of academic excellence. Over 17,000 students undertake
an extensive range of studies at the University, which is
renowned for the quality of its graduates. NUI Galway is a
research-led University with internationally recognised
expertise in areas including Biomedical Science and Engineering,
Web Science, Human Rights, Marine Science, Energy and
Environmental Science, Applied Social Sciences and Public
Policy, and Humanities, in particular literature, theatre and
Irish Studies.
For more information visit
www.nuigalway.ie or
view all NUI Galway news here.
*The University's official title is National University of
Ireland, Galway. Please note that the only official abbreviation
is NUI Galway.
The Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research is
a centre of excellence in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and
related neurodevelopment disorders. ASD affects 1:100 people and
the diagnosis involves difficulties in communication, forming
relationships, developing language and in using abstract
concepts.
The lack of services in Ireland places an enormous burden on
parents. The mission of The Irish Centre for Autism and
Neurodevelopment Research is dedicated to ensuring improvements
for individuals with ASD and their families; through research,
education and improving services.
NUI Galway offered an MSc program in Applied Behaviour
Analysis (ABA) in 2006. Since its inception, 55 students have
graduated, and are working throughout Ireland as autism
treatment specialists, family support workers, and consultants
to schools and educational programs that serve children with
autism diagnoses.The University now offers a PhD programme in
ABA, training graduates to become practitioners, researchers and
educators.
About Autism Autism is a general term used to describe a
group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum
disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental
influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying
degrees, by social and behavioral challenges, as well as
repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 110 children in the U.S.
is on the autism spectrum – a 600 percent increase in the past
two decades that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis.
About Autism
Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world’s largest autism science and
advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism
Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $160 million
to research and developing innovative new resources for
families.
The organization is dedicated to funding research into the
causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing
awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the
needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition
to funding research, Autism Speaks has created resources and
programs including the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network,
Autism Speaks’ Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several
other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness
initiatives include the establishment of the annual United
Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, which
Autism Speaks celebrates through its Light it Up Blue
initiative.
Also, Autism Speaks award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign
with the Ad Council has received over $300 million in donated
media. Autism Speaks’ family resources include the Autism Video
Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School
Community Tool Kit, a Grandparent’s Guide to Autism, and a
community grant program. Autism Speaks has played a critical
role in securing federal legislation to advance the government’s
response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance
reform to cover behavioral treatments in 29 states thus far,
with bills pending in an additional 10 states. Each year Walk
Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities
across North America.
To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit
www.autismspeaks.org.
About the Co-Founders
Autism Speaks was
founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright (photo),
the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Senior
Advisor at Lee Equity Partners and Chairman and CEO of the Palm
Beach Civic Association.
He served as Vice Chairman of General Electric; and as the
Chief Executive Officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than
twenty years.
He also serves on the board of directors of the Polo Ralph
Lauren Corporation, Mission Product, EMI Group Global Ltd., and
AMC Networks Inc., and is a Trustee of the New York Presbyterian
hospital. Suzanne Wright is a Trustee Emeritus of Sarah Lawrence
College, her alma mater.
Suzanne has received numerous awards, the Women of
Distinction Award from Palm Beach Atlantic University, the CHILD
Magazine Children’s Champions Award, Luella Bennack Volunteer
Award, Spirit of Achievement award by the Albert Einstein
College of Medicine's National Women’s Division and The Women of
Vision Award from the Weizmann Institute of Science.
In 2008, the Wrights were named to the Time 100 Heroes and
Pioneers category, a list of the most influential people in the
world, for their commitment to global autism advocacy. They have
also received the first ever Double Helix Award for Corporate
Leadership from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the NYU Child
Advocacy Award, the Castle Connolly National Health Leadership
Award and the American Ireland Fund Humanitarian Award.
In the past couple of years the Wrights have received
honorary doctorate degrees from St. John’s University, St.
Joseph’s University and UMass Medical School.
About the American Ireland Fund
The American Ireland Fund is a philanthropic network that
supports worthy causes in Ireland and around the world. Our
mission is to be the largest network of friends of Ireland
dedicated to supporting programs of peace and reconciliation,
arts and culture, education and community development throughout
the island of Ireland. Founded in 1976, The Worldwide Ireland
Funds currently operate in 12 countries and have raised over
$380 million for more than 1,200 outstanding organizations.
The Worldwide Ireland Funds have launched the Promising
Ireland Campaign to raise $100 million by the end of 2013 on
behalf of Irish charities. Charities across the island of
Ireland are experiencing an increased demand for their services
at a time of a major reduction in resources. The Campaign's
title - Promising Ireland - reflects The Worldwide Ireland
Funds' pledge to these groups as well as a belief in Ireland's
future.
Speakers
Connie Kasari, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychological
Studies in Education and Psychiatry at UCLA, where she is the
Principal Investigator for several multi-site research programs,
including the Characterizing Cognition in Nonverbal Individuals
with Autism Intervention network by Autism Speaks.
She received her PhD from the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill and was a NIMH postdoctoral fellow at the
Neuropsychiatric Institute at UCLA. Since 1990 she has been on
the faculty at UCLA where she teaches both graduate and
undergraduate courses, and has been the primary advisor to more
than 30 PhD students. She is a founding member of the Center for
Autism Research and Treatment at UCLA and has been actively
involved in autism research for the past 25 years, leading
projects under the CPEA, STAART, and Autism Centers of
Excellence programs from NIH. Her current research focuses on
developing targeted interventions for early social communication
development in at risk infants, toddlers and preschoolers with
autism, and peer relationships for school aged children with
autism.
She is involved in several randomized controlled trials, with
her most recent work involving multi-site studies for
interventions aimed at underserved and under-represented
populations of children with autism. She has published widely on
topics related to social, emotional, and communication
development and intervention in autism. She is on the treatment
advisory board of the Autism Speaks Foundation, and regularly
presents to both academic and practitioner audiences locally,
nationally and internationally.
Catherine Lord, Ph.D. is the Director of the Institute
for Brain Development, a new autism center at New York
Presbyterian Hospital, a collaborative effort among Weill-Cornell
Medical College, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons and
the New York Center for Autism, a not-for-profit autism advocacy
organization. Previously she was the director of the University
of Michigan Autism and Communication Disorders Center (UMACC)
and the Urie Bronfenbrenner Collegiate Professor of Psychology,
Psychiatry and Pediatrics.
She is a clinical psychologist who has worked in Canada and
the U.K. and at various universities in the U.S., including the
TEACCH program. She was involved in developing standardized
diagnostic instruments for ASD [the Autism Diagnostic
Observation Schedule (ADOS), an observational scale, and the
Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R), a parent
interview]. She was the Chair of the Committee on Effectiveness
of Early Intervention in Autism for the National Research
Council and is currently on the DSM-V Neurodevelopmental
Disorders Committee.
In her current, as well as previous positions, she provides
clinical evaluations, carries out and consults to various
interventions and trains university students and professionals
in the diagnosis of ASD.
Most recently, she has participated in randomized studies of
four preschool interventions: the Early Start Denver Model
(Rogers & Dawson), the Early Social Interaction study (Wetherby
& Wood), a focused supplemental intervention targeting joint
attention/symbolic play (Kasari), and a pilot test of a new
home-based intervention designed to better meet the needs of
families with very few resources.
Other recent or current projects include the development of a
toddler ADOS module and a more efficient diagnostic interview;
analysis of behavioral data from a genetic repository for
families with a child with autism and a typical child; the
development of a measure of spontaneous, functional language in
children with ASD and other language disorders; and a
longitudinal study of children from North Carolina and Chicago
followed from age 2 who are now in their twenties.
Virginia Bovell has an 18-year old son with autism and
severe learning difficulties. He attends the 6th form of Tree
House School, which is run by the charity Ambitious about Autism
(formerly the TreeHouse Trust – which she helped found, together
with other parents).
Virginia has been active in awareness-raising and lobbying,
hoping to make autism a higher priority among policy-makers and
opinion-formers. She has participated in a range of UK
Government working parties and was one of the Expert Advisers on
the Lamb Inquiry into parental confidence in the Special
Educational Needs system. She has been a trustee for the NAS and
remains a NAS Regional Councillor for Greater London.
Before all of this she worked as a researcher at London
School of Economics. In recent years she has completed an MA in
Medical Ethics and Law and is enrolled for a doctorate at Oxford
to research the ethical issues around ‘cure’ and ‘prevention’ of
autism. She is a member of the UK Autism Rights Movement.
Gillian Baird is Professor of Paediatric
Neurodisability at King's College London and a consultant
paediatrician at Guy's & St Thomas Trust, where she works with a
multidisciplinary team in diagnosis and management of a range of
neurodevelopmental disabilities in children and young people.
Her research interests are in autism, language disorders and
cerebral palsy. She is vice president of Afasic and the NAS ,
chair of the british academy of childhood disability and on the
neurodevelopmental working groups of both the DSM and ICD.
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