The debate continues as to why there is a surge in the number of children that are diagnosed with autism. While some contend that it’s because of the hype that media gives, others press that the stronger awareness campaigns make the labeling more prevalent. Regardless, one truth prevails—more and more people are working to provide better opportunities for individuals with autism.

Autism Hearts Foundation (AHF) is one of those groups that will pave the way for these opportunities.

An organization that is committed to funding organizations that provide direct services, family support grants, awareness, research, education, advocacy and recreational opportunities to improve the quality of life of individuals with autism and their families, AHF is setting up the first-ever International Autism Conference (AIC) in the Philippines. Set in February at the Philippine International Convention Center, the conference will gather global experts on autism including top resource persons from the M.I.N.D. Institute in the US.

AHF founder Lynda Borromeo shares the conference’s two main goals—to provide a one-stop shop for people with autism through Autism Institute of Asia (AIA), and to launch the collaboration with the world’s largest autism advocates, the Autism Speaks, through Global Autism Public Health (GAPH).
Borromeo, grandmother to a child with autism, explains that with number of children identified with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) nearing epidemic proportions, the right services, treatment
options, and latest researches are needed now more than ever.

THE REAL SCORE

Philippine Society for Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrics (PSDBP) Dr. Alexis Reyes says that in the Philippines, there are no data on the status of autism. This is primarily the reason why she, along with other doctors, formed an autism study group to look into autism more closely, its genetics, nature and profiles of the families.

Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP) president Dang Koe also shares some of her and the members’ experiences in the organization.

With theme “The Science of Autism: New Directions and Priorities,” the conference will help maximize the potentials of the persons with autism to learn, to develop and function independently.

“By bringing in experts with their latest information on the condition, we hope to improve the quality of lives of persons with autism as well as their families,” Borromeo says.

Aside from giving experts as well as educators and parents the latest developments on autism, the conference aims to pave the way for the launching of the state-of-the-art research and developing program and specialized training through the AIA.

Borromeo reveals that services and support for people with autism is lacking not only here but in other countries as well. “That is why there is a need for highly, knowledgeable and skilled professionals to develop current scientific research and develop carefully-based treatment for individuals with autism.”

The AIA will not only serve people with autism in the Philippines but also from other neighboring countries. Through the institute, researchers from all over the world would be coming in the Philippines to present their research and collaborate with the local experts.

Borromeo further enderscores that the AIA is for everybody and its sustainability would greatly depend on the collaboration of people from the non-government and government entities such as the Department of Health, Department of Education and Department of Science and Technology. “The creation of this international hub for autism is not an impossible dream, community involvement as well as the cooperation of everyone is needed for it to succeed,” she says.

The general conference topics include autism in the Philippines, history, screening, assessment and diagnosis, medical features and co-morbidities of autism, early identification and treatment, diagnosis and treatment of adolescents with autism, the genetics of autism, the neurobiology of autism, the epidemiology of autism, social and neuro-cognitive development in autism, the language of autism, behavior management of autism across settings, social skills training in autism, inspirational lecture and workshops.