Agenda

An overview of autism community services and inclusion efforts over the past five years, discussion of recent developments, and hopes for a Unified Path Forward.

Autism - Best Practices and Self Care for Carers
Conducted by Dr. Onita Nakra and New York University Abu Dhabi
Dr. Onita Nakra is an educational psychologist. She obtained her Ph.D. (Educational Psychology) from the University of Minnesota with a specialization in cognitive interventions for special needs learners. She has worked with schools, educators, and families for over two decades, and authored two books: “Children and Learning Difficulties”, and “Understanding Autism: A Guide for Parents and Teachers”. Currently employed at the American School of Dubai, she provides diagnostic assessments for children and parental support.

Session A
It Takes a Village
This panel will look at how collaboration with stakeholders in the community helps achieve positive outcomes for person with ASD at all stages of life. This talk focuses on collaboration with educational institutions.

Conducted by Nipa Bhuptani, Khawla Barley, Michelle Chioccola, Diana Wardeh

* This session is best for all audiences

Session B
Building Communication in Children with ASD
To offer parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) tips to build their child’s communication. The tips can help you turn any activity you do with your child into an opportunity to build their skills and to have fun while doing it!

Conducted by Eleni Kotta

* This session is best for new parents/caregivers and professionals

Academic Inclusion Readiness
Attendees will identify the prerequisite skills to prepare a student for school inclusion and how to incorporate these into early teaching strategies. Attendees will also learn how to program for successful transition into an inclusion environment as well as strategies to support a student in inclusion.

Conducted by  Aline Atallah and Nusaibah al Ameri

* This session is best for parents/caregivers and professionals

Session D
التدخل المبكر واستراتيجيات فعالة في البيت - Early Intervention and Effective Home Strategies
سيتعلم الحضور عن أهمية التدخل المبكر في العلاج الناجح للأطفال المشخصين بالتوحد. سيتم مراجعة العناصر المهمة في التدخل السلوكي المبكروالمكثف، مع عرض أمثلة حول كيفية استخدام هذه العناصر في استراتيجيات ناجحة في المنزل

Attendees will learn about the importance of early intervention in the treatment and successful outcomes of children with autism. The key components of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) will be reviewed with examples of how to integrate these methodologies into home-based strategies.

Conducted by Tasneem Abu Rouza

* This session is best for Arabic-speaking new parents/caregivers and professionals

Session A
هل طفلي طفل توحدي؟ - Does my Child Have Autism? 
ما هو اضطراب التوحد ؟  التوحد هو إضطراب في تطور الطفل ويبدأ في سن مبكر ويستمر مدى الحياة ويؤثر على قدرة الطفل على التواصل على من حوله وعلى قدرته على تفسير التجارب التي يمر بها وبالتالي التعامل معها . سيتعلم الحضور أسباب اضطراب التوحد ومن يشتبه بإصابة الطفل بإضطراب التوحد ودور الاسرة في مساندة االطفل التوحدي

Conducted by Dr. Huda Sudek

* This session is best for Arabic-speaking new parents/caregivers and professionals

Session B
Research Outcomes and Evidence-based Practice
A presentation of the outcomes from a local research project on awareness of autism diagnosis, symptoms and treatment amongst paediatricians followed by a discussion around evidence base of treatments available. The presentation will try to answer current evidence base regarding commonly available and prescribed treatments for Autism.

Conducted by Dr. Binu George

* This session is best for new parents/caregivers and professionals

Session C
Positive Behavior Support systems in Schools and Homes
Attendees will be introduced to positive behavior support (PBS), and learn how to use principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to develop an effective positive behavior support plan. Attendees will identify the key components of a positive behavior support plan and develop intervention strategies using the PBS framework. Attendees will learn simple and practical behavioral strategies that can be used with all students in every classroom.

Conducted by Lama Ayoub

* This session is best parents/caregivers and professionals

Session D
Road to Readiness for Employment
This panel will discuss requisites to being ready for employment and the possibilities and barriers in UAE. This panel consists of educators, employers, job coaches and parents.

Conducted by Nipa Bhuptani, Khawla Barley, Kalyani Saha, Mike Ballard, Nilima Vengsarkar

* This session is best for all audiences

Session A
Stages of Play Workshop
In this interactive workshop, attendees will explore creative uses of everyday material through the stages of play (solitary, parallel and cooperative). Attendees can also expect an overview of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) driven CLM curriculum and how it is incorporated effectively within the stages of play.

Conducted by ABTi Staff

* This session is best for all audiences

Session B
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence Based Assessments and Treatments
The presentation will go through explaining the causes and signs & symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, evidence based assessments that help clinicians make a diagnosis, and therapies to help manage the diagnosis.

Conducted by Dr. Emad Farrag

* This session is best for parents/caregivers and professionals

Session C
Physical Literacy: The Building Blocks from Sport and Play
Attendees will identify the developmental stages of motor skills and how these skills typically progress. Attendees will learn how to incorporate teaching strategies that will improve fine and gross motor skills in individuals with autism. Skills will include adaptations and modifications that can be incorporated into daily routines for practice

Conducted by Jennifer Bradley

* This session is best parents/caregivers and professionals

Session D
Mindful Action Planning
Both parents and professionals struggle with being pulled in many directions, and our “to-do” lists can be overwhelming. The Mindful Action Plan combines strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Training with strategies from performance management to help us to be here now, accepting, noticing, and doing what we care about.

Conducted by Dr. Siri Ming

* This session is best for all audiences