Irish autism conference (Autism Speaks)

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by Marie Madden

Ireland’s first ever autism conference is taking place in Galway today, with Minister for Health James Reilly addressing an audience of over 600 researchers, healthcare professionals, teachers and parents.

‘Autism Spectrum Disorder: from Clinical Practice to Educational Provision’ is being organised by the Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, in partnership with Autism Speaks and The American Ireland Fund.

It began yesterday and is focusing on providing practical solutions and approaches to diagnosis, clinical management, education, and adult service provision.

“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.”

Experts include Professor Connie Kasari from the Centre for Autism Research and Treatment at UCLA; Professor Cathy Lord, Director of the Weill Cornell Medical College and New York Presbyterian Hospital Institute for Brain Development; Professor Richard Foxx of Penn State University; and Professor Helen McConachie of Newcastle University.

“We are delighted to be hosting such distinguished international experts,” said conference organiser and lecturer in Psychology at NUI Galway, Dr Geraldine Leader. “It is only through the use of the latest up-to-date evidence based practices that we can ensure best outcomes for all individuals on the autism spectrum.”

Parents of autistic children have been invited to attend and participate in workshops on early intervention and caring for children on the autism spectrum.

Adrian Jones, a parent of an autistic child and a board member of Autism Speaks and Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, 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 US, 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 Irish children and adults with autism.”

For further information on the conference, visit www.conference.ie

Have there been no protests about this in the Irish autism community?

Parents are invited, but no autistic people? Tsk tsk.

1 - people with ASD were welcome, in fact one of the plenary speaker was an young man with ASD who spoke brilliantly and got a standing ovation.

2 - this was not the first autism conference in Ireland (we have had 5 in Northern Ireland in 2000, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2011).

Depends if you're a republican or not. It is the first conference in Irish jurisdiction, so it's the first conference in Ireland (but not on the island). The other five took place in the UK. Same island, different country.

It seems very strange to say that this isn't the first, when it clearly is the first held in that country, as reported by the Irish press.

I'm vaguely interested in the fact that there is some kind of American/Irish collaboration and funding going on here.

he talked about his life, and his experiences in school and at University.

BTW, lets keep the eye on the ball and not get USA/UK/Ireland political.