Autcon 2019

March 2, 2019 at Raman Hall ITTM Research Park Chennai, carried an intellectual feast for professionals involved in ASD care. With a panel of eminent speakers, the conference brought out the multitude and magnitude of issues in focus in ASD.

The conference was inaugurated by Senior Pediatrician Dr.Shantha Narayanan and SLP Ms.Sai Harika Bopanna (our regular and every time first registering delegate to all our previous conferences). Dr. G.K. Kannan, Psychiatrist set the tone for the program by impressing upon the importance of evidence in practice and the means to translation. Following him, Dr.R.M.Sundarkumar brought out the role of Sensory Integration in ASD. He explained the role of AYRES Sensory integration in ASD care. He also explained how early goals help in therapy. He also revealed that SI was yet another tool in the tool box for  application in ASD. Dr.Prathibha Karanth of ComDEALL gave a detailed exposition of the ComDEALL approach with  the realistic aspects of success and challenges in the approach. Her talk dealt with the communication therapy model towards care.Dr.Roopa Srinivasan of Ummeed, spoke about the Bio-Psycho -Social aspect of care. She emphasized the role of social integration of the children. She said that ASD care becomes complete only when it successfully translates towards integration into the society. The cost factor of care was highlighted by her and the group as well as Dr.Roopa had concerns about it.Dr.Beena Koshy of CMC Vellore, spoke about the biological aspect of care. A centre like theirs with a huge caseload of kids newly diagnosed with ASD/week had to be dynamic and model their care as a mixture of IP and home-based care. The post lunch session involved the participants in case discussions. The participants were divided into four groups and each group had an ideal mix of an integrated team of professionals. They were given a case each and were discussing the models and presented their thoughts on the same. Dr.Kannan steered the discussion effectively. There were invited posters which showcased different models of care. There was also a presentation of AAC based app AVAZ  by their team. Mercury Labs a start-up, also briefly presented their augmented learning platform.  NISHTA NICHE NETWORK, a dedicated forum for ASD related issues was launched.

Easy-check-in, tech based quick registration, wi-fi enabled auditorium, individualized experience set the conference experience apart.

The conference had a good attendance of pediatricans and other therapists and was an engaging learning experience. The crux of the take away was that ASD with persevered engagement and application of research in Indian context and at an individualized and integrated approach will work .