[SDM Health Justice Lecture Series] Are children with autism on the blindspot in sustainable development agenda?

[Watch recording] [Listen or download podcast] According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which begins in childhood and tend to persist into adolescence and adulthood. While some people with ASD can live independently, others have severe disabilities and require lifelong care and support.

Interventions for people with ASD need to be accompanied by broader actions for making physical, social and attitudinal environments more accessible, inclusive and supportive. Worldwide, people with ASD are often subject to stigma, discrimination and human rights violations. Globally, access to services and support for people with ASD is inadequate.

In May 2014, the Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly adopted a resolution entitled "Comprehensive and coordinated efforts for the management of autism spectrum disorders (ASD)," which was supported by more than 60 countries (WHA 67.8). The resolution urges WHO to collaborate with governments and partner agencies to strengthen national capacities to address ASD and other developmental disorders. With governments committing to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where no one is left behind, it is important to ensure that children with autism are not left behind, as we strive for sustainable development.


Keiko Samuels has kindly consented to deliver the January 2018 e-talk/ online lecture as part of the Shanti Devi Memorial Health Justice Lecture Series. Keiko was born in Tokyo, Japan. She is a retired psychotherapist from California, now lives in Doi Saket in northern Thailand. She has worked with children with autism, and those who deal with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in Chiang Mai for several years now, using NeurOptimal neurofeedback equipment. She is certified by Zengar Institute to operate the machine and a certified instructor to certify other people. Knowing early childhood intervention is crucial when working with brain, she focused on preschool and elemental school age children. She formed a charitable foundation, Educating Autistics Chiang Mai (EACM) in 2016 so that she can train teachers and make neurofeedback training available to a wider population. Her mission is to improve autistic children’s quality of life, and create an autistic friendly society in Thailand.

Date: Tuesday, 16th January 2018
Time: 1pm - 2pm Geneva time


Expert commentators:
  • Dr Namrata Charles
  • Dr Shivani Sharma (slides)

The lecture will be chaired by one of the children of late Shanti Devi Shankhdhar who continues to champion health and social causes: Prof Rama Kant, WHO Director General's Awardee; former Chief Medical Superintendent of King George's Medical University and Gandhi Memorial and Associated Hospitals; 2012 President of Association of Surgeons of India; former Vice President of SAARC Surgeons and President of Lucknow College of Surgeons.

Thanks

CNS team

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