Under the motto “Happy, Healthy and Empowered”, Autism-Europe’s 11th International Congress brings together more than 1,700 self-advocates, parents, professionals, carers and other interested parties from around the world (including Europe, Asia, African nations, South America, USA and Canada, Australia and New Zealand) from the 16 to 18 September.
The triennial event, organised this year in Edinburgh by the National Autistic Society in partnership with Autism-Europe, is dedicated to sharing advances in practical and scientific knowledge about autism to as wide an audience as possible.
In its eleventh edition, the theme of the 2016 Congress is “Happy, healthy and empowered”. People on the autism spectrum, researchers, practitioners, teachers and other interested parties submitted abstracts with the aim of exploring a broad range of perspectives, both theoretical and practical. In total over 600 abstracts were received. During the selection process value was placed on robust and well-evidenced knowledge, including academic research and professional, personal and collective experience within the three key topic areas.
The event focuses on the most recent developments across the field of autism, including diagnosis, early intervention, treatments, education, support, employment and policies. It will also cover the evolution of knowledge, rights and services for autistic people, as well as providing insight into future developments in knowledge and technologies for autistic people that may soon become a part of everyday life.
The conference will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC). Situated at the heart of Scotland’s historic capital, the EICC is one of the world’s most outstanding venues for conferences, conventions and exhibitions.
About the Congress
Autism-Europe’s international congresses are dedicated to sharing advances in the practical and scientific knowledge of autism to as wide an audience as possible, including autistic people, researchers, professionals and parents.
The Congresses are held every three years, each time hosted by a national autism organisation in a different European country. The member organisation that organises each congress is elected by the Autism-Europe’s General Assembly.
Notes to editors:
- Autism is a complex lifelong disability. People who have autism experience persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction, and exhibit restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests starting from early childhood, to the extent that this “limits and impairs everyday functioning”. Autism is a “spectrum” condition, which means that its characteristics and support requirements vary from one person to another.
- Autism-Europe aisbl (AE) advocates for European policies that protect the rights of people on the autism spectrum and their families to help them improve their quality of life. AE plays a key role in raising awareness and in influencing European decision-makers. AE is comprised of more than 80 member associations in more than 38 countries and represents an estimated 5 million people throughout Europe.
- The National Autistic Society (NAS) is the UK’s leading charity for people with autism and their families. Founded in 1962, it continues to spearhead national and international initiatives and provide a strong voice for all people with autism. The NAS provides a wide range of services to help people with autism and Asperger syndrome live their lives with as much independence as possible.
- Grants to attend the Congress offered to 30 participants by the JiM Foundation: This year the JiM Foundation (Poland) offered grants to fund thirty places at Autism-Europe’s 11th International Congress, as it has done in previous years. Fifteen of the grants have been awarded to professionals who work with autistic people (therapists, academic, support workers, teachers and so on) and the rest have been awarded to parents, family members and students as well as individuals on the autism spectrum. The closing date for applications was the 31 May 2016.
- For further information about the Congress, click here. The Congress programme is available in full by clicking here.
- Follow the Autism-Europe’s 11th International Congress by looking for the hashtag #AECongress16
- Follow Autism-Europe on Twitter (@AutismEurope) or on Facebook (/autismeurope.AE).
For more information and interviews, please do not hesitate to contact:
Cristina Fernández
Communication Officer for Autism-Europe
Tel: +32 (0) 2 675 75 05
Email: communication(at)autismeurope.orgNAS Press Office
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7903 3593
Email: press(at)nas.org.uk
Website: www.autism.org.uk