ASD WORLD CONGRESS REPORT
ASD World Congress - South Africa
The ASD World Conference was worthwhile going to and if experience is anything to judge by, the investment will pay off over the next couple of years as we apply the best of what we have learned to service development in New Zealand, whether at a systems or on a family or individual level. My impression is that we (NZ) proactively seek partnerships; we have access to ASD information and are (can be) as well informed as anyone in the world. Our challenge will be to support effective practices (education, health, social services and families) and to keep abreast of significant changes in research. I also believe that NZ is in a position to engage in innovative practices and we should have the confidence to share these on the world stage. Roll out the NZ Evidence Based Guideline. As a parent and professional working in the disability sector, I look forward to significant changes in the next decade.
The opening ceremony was marked by a group of young people with ASD who sang and danced for us and the audience was one that appreciated the skilled preparation to support the young performers. Key note addresses covered the history of autism, behaviour and the interactions between genetics and the environment. The next three days were marked by breakaway groups with 127 choices to be made. Sessions I attended included: education approaches, family supports, a reframe of inclusion (presented by a special school), vocational teaching qualifications, autism accreditation, a life long perspective on quality of life, parent's role in creating services, addressing behaviour problems, a massive project on a computer programme providing autism internet modules, AutismPro.com an online intervention tool, the Scottish Autism Service Network and the development of social firms in Scotland, offenders, person centred planning, inclusive education, strategies for inclusion, a partnership approach to workforce development, plus... Of particular interest was the Danish National Autism Plan (not evidenced based) where the issues focussed on early detection and intervention, diagnosis, and the development of services for children through to the elderly.
NZ can be justifiably proud of the work to develop the NZ Draft ASD Evidence based Guidelines. Perhaps we will see a NEw Zealand presetnation at the next world conference in Mexico, on services development in NZ from 2007 - 2010. Interestingly, on return from conference an email was received from Adam Feinstein following the AWARES Conference (ASD) asking people to put forward a resolution to be presented to the United Nations, UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Health Organisation and the European Parliament declaring the following: We, the under-signed, believe that all national governments should establish and publish a nation-wide framework as the basis for providing high-quality services to meet the individual needs of all people affected by autistic spectrum disorder.This call highlighted the proactive work NZ is currently engaged in. Karen took over 150 flyers for the ASD Guidelines and these had all been distributed by the final day.
New Zealand had good representation with four poster presentations (ASDIN and website standards, Acorn House & innovative use of visual supports; IDEA Services Communication and Behaviour Project and a participatory action research project about school and parent relationships/ Parkside School).Three NZers were also selected as conference presenters and well received. There were 92 posters displayed and we were allocated a half hour session to present during the afternoon tea break. Our ASDIN poster attracted its fair share of attention and we have identified some new links to add to the site. For anyone considering a poster presentation, it's worth putting thought into the design and material used for display and transport issues, as carrying a poster half way across the world posed its own problems and our poster was a bit crumpled.
ASDIN didn't apply for funding support to get to South AFrica so I wasn't impaired by conscience or obligation when I skipped the last morning of presentations and took myself off on a tour to the Cape of Good Hope. Stunning scenery was supported by a good history of Capetown, interrupted by baboons stopping the tour coach and warnings not to open the windows added to a frisson of danger. I nearly died walking the last steps up to the lighthouse at the Cape; one of those defining moments when a fitness programme seems like a good resolution. Having survived, I detoured from the penguin colony to bargain with stall owners on the side of the road. A small taste of South Africa but enough to want a bit more.
ASD life was put in perspective when I shared a taxi back out to the airport with a psychiatrist from a 'developing' African state. Development of services for ASD in that country has to be put in perspective with poverty, high levels of rape and the effects of AIDS where death leaves 15 year old siblings and younger in charge of their families including their disabled sibs. It seemed relatively easy going home to autism.
Sue Robertson Project Manager ASD Workforce Development Monday- Wednesday Autism Solutions Ltd (contractor) Disability Services Directorate Ministry of Health DDI: 09 580 9027 Mobile: 021 02412073
http://www.moh.govt.nz mailto:Sue_Robertson@moh.govt.nz