By Nurul Islam Laskar,MMN,
GUWAHATI, 12 Nov 2014 : Dr Shabina Ahmed, Developmental Paediatrician, of Guwahati-based Assam Autism Foundation (AAF), has been invited to the International Conference for Autism (INCA 2014), to be held at Antalya, Turkey, from November 14 to 16, 2014 for presentation of two of her research papers.
One involves the role of play therapy in management of autistic children, and the other on congenital infections as a possible cause of autism. AAF is a public charitable trust, that started its pioneering work on autism since the past decade, and has been also part of multicentre studies on autism with Mon Vikas Kendra, Kolkata.
A special meeting session called as “Meet the Experts” session will be organised on November 15 at the Conference to provide young researchers, undergraduate/graduate students, and teachers/therapists an opportunity to network with senior researchers in the field. Dr Shabina will be acting as a resource person in the same.
The Conference has received several contributions on the following topics related to ASD: Features of ASD, Diagnosis and assessment, Genetic and environmental factors, Medical aspects of ASD, Evidence-based education and therapies, Early intervention programmes, School and inclusion programmes, Adolescence and adulthood, Housing and employment, Community living, Families and caregivers, Personnel training, Legal and administrative regulations, Advocacy activities, and Other developmental disabilities.
INCA 2014 will not only provide an invaluable opportunity for sharing scientific and practical ASD knowledge, it will also provide a unique cultural experience. To maximise the cultural benefits, a variety of pre- and post-conference excursions will be organised in Antalya and surroundings.
Dr Shabina will also take part in sessions on the following topics – We are Aware of Autism and Share the Same Color with the World, An Analys?s of the Knowledge of Nurses And Midwives About Autism and its Early Diagnosis, The Use of Video Model and Social Stories for Teaching Social Skills to Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, A Case Study of Motor Skills Test Battery with Individuals with Autism, The Effect of Engagement with an Activity on Stereotyped/Repetitive Behaviors of Individuals with ASD, and Description of the Effect of a Musical Group Activity on Social Skills of Children with Autism.
It may be mentioned here that on account of her dedication and services in the field of autism therapy, she was honoured with the ERDF ‘Community Leadership Award’ which she received from the hands of the then Union Ministry for Minority Affairs Dr K Rahman Khan in Guwahati on April 2, 2013.