Inspirational Modern Approaches To Autism Spectrum Disorder
Non-For-Profit AUTISM Community Conference Under The Patronage of Dubai Health Authority
Dubai Health Authority (DHA) extended their Patronage to support Sensation Station Centre’s first Non-For-Profit community conference, which was held today, Monday, 5th January 2015 at the Mövenpick Hotel, Ibn Battuta Gate, Dubai, UAE.
Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Saif bin Kalban, CEO – Hospital Services, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) opened the conference as Keynote Speaker addressing over 165 delegates, parents, teachers, therapist and other professionals.
BREAKING DOWN THE SPECTRUM: “Inspirational Modern Approaches To Autism Spectrum Disorder – this conference is highly recommended for teachers, professionals serving the Autism Community and for family members. The theme was inspired, exploring what people are engaging in as families, individuals and schools. The conference will serve to showcase a look at what the community needs and is mainly aimed at parents who are involved with young people that may have a connection to the Autism Spectrum.
The event organiser, Sensation Station Centre, is a new, multidisciplinary private therapy center for children with SPECIAL NEEDS, DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS and LEARNING CHALLENGES providing Educational Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, Sensory Art Therapy and many other services for Children and their families.
Their vision is to help as many families as possible and have therefore made this a FREE event to help raise awareness amongst the community hosting international specialists sharing knowledge with the audience on the latest methods and approaches on Autism treatments.
Titled “Inspirational Modern Approaches to Autism Spectrum Disorder”, the conference will feature six sessions, followed by a panel discussion and a Q and A session including the following:
The Opening Speech and Keynote Address was delivered by Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Saif bin Kalban, CEO – Hospital Services, Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
“Inside Asperger’s in the Family” by KATHY HOOPMANN, Parent, Author and Presenter (Australia/UAE). Kathy is an acclaimed author with a primary school teaching background. She has written fifteen books for children and adults, with translations into eleven languages and her work is widely available in the US, UK, Australia and the Middle East. Six of her books deal with Asperger’s Syndrome and one is on ADHD. She regularly runs workshops for children and teachers and has presented in Dubai, Australia and Qatar. Her latest book, “Inside Asperger’s Looking Out” won a Nautilus Silver Award 2013 in the US for books that change the world; and was a finalist in the 2013 ForeWord Review Book of the Year Award. Her latest book, “The Essential Manual for Asperger Syndrome (ASD) in the Classroom – What every teacher Needs to Know” – is due out in January 2015.
“Multi-Disciplinary Approach To Autism” jointly presented by GRAINNE BOYLE, M.A. Educational Psychology, MASNOENA SAMBO ALLIE, B.Sc. Occupational Therapy and NISHA MISTRY, B.Sc. Speech and Language Therapist at Sensation Station, Dubai, UAE
“Understanding Brain Function in ASD – Lessons from Cognitive Neurosciences” by SAM RAO, Founder and Director of the XY Clinic in Dubai, which specializes in personalized solutions for autism spectrum, ADHD and learning challenges. Sam is also a Director of Diagnostika Medlabs, a molecular and functional medicine diagnostic center providing solutions for children based on cognitive neuroscience and molecular biology. Sam pioneered novel diagnostic testing in the field of functional and integrative medicine in the region and works closely with the growing number of practitioners who are adopting whole-person treatment protocols instead of just treating isolated symptoms.
“Special Abilities in Autism” by PROF. PAMELA HEATON, Professor of Psychology, Goldsmiths University UK, a world expert on perception and cognition in autism and has published her research findings in many high-impact peer reviewed journals. She has a special interest in music and other talents in autism and was awarded the British Psychological Society prize for outstanding doctoral research contributions to Psychology for her thesis on music and autism. She is frequently invited to speak at conferences and research events. Recent talks have been given at the Max Plank Institute in Leipzig, the Royal Society in London and the Music and Neurosciences conference in Montreal. She actively collaborates with researchers in the UK, Europe and North America and her research has been funded by the Baily Thomas Trust, the EU and the Economic and Social Research Council, UK.
“Autism Spectrum Disorders: Navigating the Maze” By DR. ASMA SADIQ (MD), Director of Child Development, Dept. Paediatrics, Beth Israel Hospital, New York, USA. Dr. Sadiq was Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in the Bronx and was awarded a Special Grant by the United Hospital Fund for Project DOCS, in which parents act as teachers for residents to better understand the needs of children with disabilities. She has awarded a scholarship by the Brave-well Collaborative and is a Graduate Fellow of the Program of Integrative Medicine – University of Arizona. Dr. Sadiq has lectured widely and published as well as organized a series of academic conferences to facilitate an integrative and holistic approach in the care of children and with developmental issues and disabilities. As a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician, Dr. Sadiq has a comprehensive multi-disciplinary and Integrative approach that respects bio-medical individuality across the spectrum. She works with parents as partners and other health providers and educators in the care of children. She works in New York and does some International consultations for children as well as academic presentations and teaching.
“Benefits of Music Therapy nd Autism” by Nadya Larsen, M.A. Music Therapist, Sensation Station, Dubai, UAE