Autism - The Past, The Present And The Future, Conference, UK

Main Category: Autism
Also Included In: Conferences;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 04 Jun 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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A major conference on the advances in autism research and practice is to be held on June 12th at Prior's Court, one of the country's leading autistic specialist schools near Newbury.

This year more children will be diagnosed with autism this year than diabetes, cancer, & AIDS combined. Increased awareness and diagnosis have brought a rise in the numbers with autism and today autism is thought to be the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the world with the autistic population in the UK recently estimated at more than 1 in 100.

Sixty five years ago when Leo Kanner first used the term autism to identify specific traits in a group of children, little known by the general public; now it is rarely out of the media and the UN resolution which has given the world April 2nd as an annual World Autism Awareness Day will provide further opportunities to bring this spectrum disorder into the public eye.

Knowledge and understanding of autism has moved on apace, with huge strides taken in research, awareness of appropriate educational and therapeutic interventions and the services needed to support individuals and their families whose lives are affected by the challenges of this life-long condition.

In recognition of these advances Prior's Court School near Newbury in Berkshire is hosting Autism 2020, a one day conference on June 12th. Uniting some of the world's leading experts on autism who will present their views on the latest developments in research and practice and their predictions for the future.

- Keynote speaker, Professor Sir Michael Rutter, one of the world's most eminent figures in child psychology and psychiatry, is credited as having defined autism and revolutionised its treatment. His presentation, entitled "Research into autism: accomplishments, puzzles and challenges", will include a discussion on the advancements in clinical technology with implications for future research, and will highlight puzzles and challenges such as neglected research areas, research methods and funding challenges.

- Professor Uta Frith, who translated Asperger's original paper, is acclaimed worldwide for her work on developmental cognitive disorders. Her many publications, such as 'Autism: explaining the enigma', are both scholarly and highly accessible.

- Professor Anthony Bailey, renowned internationally for his ground-breaking research into the causes of autism, will outline 'Developments in the neuroscience of autism' touching on current research in the field.

- The Founding Principal of Prior's Court School Robert Hubbard will discuss specialist provision and interventional approaches to drawing on experiences at Prior's Court School with a view to autism provision for the future.

- Dame Stephanie Shirley, Founding Patron of Prior's Court and an influential figure in the autism field, will give the opening address. A plenary session at the end of the day will be followed by a reception and music by acclaimed pianist Derek Paravicini.

The conference venue is Prior's Court School, renowned the world over for its unique and successful approach to education and care for children with autism and complex learning difficulties.

For further information or to reserve a place (£150 professionals, £75 parents, £30 ASD and concessions) please contact Prior's Court Training & Development Centre, nr Newbury, Berkshire. http://www.priorscourt.org.uk email: training@priorscourt.org.uk or tel: 01635 247202

Notes

1. Prior's Court School based in Hermitage, Berkshire is a co-educational residential and day school for children aged 5 to 19 diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum who have severe learning difficulties. The school is one of the foremost providers of autistic-specific education and care in the country.

2. The school offers 24-hour care and education, with a Waking Day Curriculum and a unique methodology - the Prior Approach - which focuses on structured teaching, daily life skills, communication and physical exercise to enable the pupils to make sense of the world around them, to learn and to achieve as high a level of independence as possible

3. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which is estimated to affect more than 1 in 100 people in the UK . It is typically diagnosed at about the age of three and is four times more prevalent in males. Varying enormously in severity, all experience difficulty in communicating and social interaction. Rigid, inflexible thought processes can create anxieties about the world around them.

Prior's Court School