HONG KONG, Aug. 15 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Autism Parents Network Foundation (APNF), a Hong Kong-based parents support group, is hosting the Second Asian Autism Conference 2007 following the success of last summer's inaugural conference. Once again the conference this year will be held in Hong Kong Academy of Medicine on September 1 and 2, 2007.
Last summer the inaugural conference attracted over 300 participants from Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, Philippines, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau, Taiwan, and The People's Republic of China. One third of the participants are medical practitioners. Parents and other related professionals including paramedical personnel, therapist, clinical psychologists, academics & special school teachers occupy the other two third. This attendance is testament to the demand for updated strategies in Autism treatment. Fees are HKD1200 for the two-day conference.
At a rate of about 1:150 children affected with this developmental disorder, Autism is all around us, so creating awareness for the condition is already being done by various groups all the time. What is needed is to bridge the gap in resources available for autism treatment across Asia. In the process of achieving this, the parents are working towards removing barriers that impede this. They hope to improve understanding of advances in treatment methods overseas, correct misconceptions, and strengthen frameworks for managing treatment strategies, so that all dimensions are addressed, and informed decisions can be made.
Addressing all relevant caregivers of children with autism, will be some of the best minds in Autism treatment and research in the U.S., who will share their insights and work on improving treatment methods. The Conference brings in 11 distinguished specialists and researchers, including those from Harvard Medical School and other prestigious institutions. Key speakers include:
-- Dr. Ken Bock's expertise lies in bringing a comprehensive integrative
medicine approach to complex medical problems. Utilizing this
patient-centered approach he has helped thousands of children on the
road to recovery. He is interested in explaining why the gut and
diet are the first step on this road to recovery.
-- Dr. Bradstreet is the founder of the International Child Development
Resource Center in Florida. He is an Adjunct Professor of
Neurosciences at Stetso University, Florida and the Southwest College
of Naturopathic Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Bradstreet serves as
an active collaborator on research projects at numerous medical
schools. His interests in autism include metal detoxification,
hyperbarics and immunological management of gastrointestinal
problems. Dr Bradstreet will review the favorable clinical
observations and research outcomes regarding the use of Hyperbaric
Oxygen in autism spectrum disorders and outline common protocols.
-- Dr Martha Herbert is a Pediatric Neurologist at Massachusetts General
Hospital (Harvard Medical School) and is on the faculty of Harvard
Medical School. She specializes in children with learning and
developmental disorders.
-- Dr. James Neubrander is board-certified in Environmental Medicine
with special interests in heavy metals and folate/B12 chemistry. He
has pioneered the use of Vitamin Methyl B12 in the treatment of
Autism and evaluated over 75,000 injections of Methyl B12.
Overwhelming support from many local and foreign corporations and individuals have resulted in generous donations and commercial sponsorship for this event. HK Disneyland, for example, is doing a special sponsorship offering complimentary tickets to any family attending the conference who has a child affected with autism. The U.S. Consul General James B. Cunningham, on the other hand, is showing his support, as he did last year, by offering opening remarks at the conference. Impressed by the efforts of the Autism Parents Network Foundation (APNF) to channel treatment resources to the autism community in Hong Kong, the Autism Society of America and Easter Seals , (a major parent support group and charity in the U.S.), will form an alliance to extend financial and organizational support to APNF activities.
Details of the Asian Autism Conference 2007 are available from the website at http://www.conference.autismpnhk.org or from the Conference Secretariat, Miss K.K. Chan at (852)2660-2872 or autism@mphk.com.
About Autism Parents Network Foundation: http://www.autismpnhk.org .
APNF is a non-profit making organization formed by a group of parents with autistic children in Hong Kong. It functions as a parental support group and shares information on the latest advances in research and treatment. This information is intended to be comprehensive, channeling parents towards resources in biomedical intervention, nutrition and diets, and behavioral therapy services (e.g. Autism Recovery Network, which employs Applied Behavioral Analysis). Ultimately, APNF seeks to empower parents and families with the knowledge and training to play a key role in tackling and managing a complex and debilitating disorder. The group advocates early intervention as an effective strategy towards eventual recovery.
Press Contact:
Darryl Tang
Autism Parents Network Foundation
Tel: +852-6148-3320
Email: darryltang@netvigator.com
Eva To
Autism Parents Network Foundation
Tel: +852-9190-4373
Email: evahyto@netvigator.com
