The conference included three sessions and aimed at raising awareness on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD)*, discussing means of racism against its patients and introducing successful experiences of children with autism.

Dr. Zaher Nazzal, Director of An-Najah Child Institute talked about school teachers’ knowledge about autism in Nablus district whereas Dr. Sabrina Russo, Director of the Clinical Units presented on “Parents Experience Going through the Process of Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder in the West Bank”.

n the first session, Dr. Mohammad El-Amleh, Vice President for Academic Affairs explained the importance of autism studies and mentioned that An-Najah institute is one of the most prominent Palestinian institutions that contributes to demolishing this disorder and raising awareness on the issue. 

In turn, Dr. Anwar Dudin, former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences discussed the emerging patterns of behavioral disorders among Palestinians 1995-2015.

The second session shed light on the association between ASD and iron, autism relation to genetics and the Amira Basma Centre’s experience and activities related to ASD.

In the third session, representatives discussed Halhul’s Centre’s experience, evidence based programming for parents with special needs children and applied behaviour analysis as an effective teaching tool for children affected by ASD.

At the end of the conference, participants were given certificates.

Notes:

• The conference was also attended by Dr. Adnan Melhem, President’s Assistant for Social Affairs and Dr. Denis Bert, Director of the Research Unit at the Institute.
• (ASD) is the name for a group of developmental disorders that includes a wide range, “a spectrum,” of symptoms, skills, and levels of disability.