1st Regional Autism Conference (RAC2020)

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, it is an honor to invite you to attend the 1st Regional Autism Conference “Autism: Understanding Beyond Difference” which will be held at Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in Muscat on 24-26 January 2020.

Target Audience:
• Pediatricians of general specialties
• Families of children with autism
• Psychiatrists from general psychiatric specialties and children
• Resident paediatricians
• Resident psychiatrists
• The teachers
• Psychologists
• Speech and language disorders
• Occupational therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Behavioral analysts
• Policy makers
• Researchers
• Non-governmental organizations
• Collaborative health care providers
• Medical students

Description:
Globally, 1 in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to World Health Organization (WHO) report. In the Gulf region, significant steps in terms of identifying children with ASD and extending the different aspects of support for them has already been taken but there’s so much more that needs to be addressed. Due to this reason, we felt the urgency of community involvement, from trainers, educators, health professionals, family members to policymakers, in the early diagnosis and treatment of children under this spectrum.

This conference aims to take that brave step to raise public awareness by organizing the 1st Regional Autism Conference. We are grateful to have a rich and informative program covering genetics, autism and epidemiological aspects of the spectrum to be delivered by world-renowned speakers. We urge you to join us in this noble cause. Together, we can change the lives of our children, make them smile and see the beauty of the world regardless of this challenging condition.

Overall Objectives:
The objective of the conference is to improve technical skills, boost international awareness and enhance collaborations and exchange of ideas. Over the duration of the conference, the suggested themes will be tackled by the proposed international, regional and local experts in the following ways:
• State-of-the-art Lectures: Each international expert is a leader in the field that he/she will speak about
• Presentations: On research output from local, regional and international scholars. It will enhance collaboration, exchanging knowledge and enriching experts’ input
• Workshops: To target educational staff, social developmental staff and primary care staff. These workshops will be delivered by experts in specific fields
• Panel Discussions: Open to all participants, to be delivered and chaired by international, regional and local experts that will educate and eliminate all misconceptions about individuals, especially children with autism

Specific Objectives:
• To establish a common understanding of autism between Ministries in Oman and regional neighbours on current approaches for measuring and diagnosing children with an ASD.
• To identify needs and gaps in the literature and practice of caring for autistic children.
• To identify best ways to advocate for better care of children with autism.
• To provide basic training methods to participants who are seeking to better understand caring for children and other individuals with autism.
• To review legislation in Oman and neighbouring countries on the protection of children with autism and other disabilities.