Asyl Miras Conference Highlights Autism Awareness and Early Intervention
Almaty, Kazakhstan – September 26, 2023 – The 5th International Conference “Asyl Miras. Autism. World of Opportunities” brought together leading experts in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to discuss the latest advancements in early diagnosis and intervention. The conference, hosted by the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, attracted over 500 participants from Kazakhstan and around the world.
Keynote speaker Connie Kasari, President of the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), announced a landmark initiative to establish a regional Kasari Lab in Kazakhstan. This will be the first Kasari Lab center in Central Asia and will provide specialized care and training for children with ASD and their families.
Other international experts, including Josephine Barbaro, Teresa Tavassoli, and Jonathan Panganiban, shared their insights on early intervention, distance learning, and the socialization and employment of people with ASD.
Almaz Sharman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about ASD in Kazakhstan and educating the public about its identification and behaviors towards people with autism.
“The average age of diagnosis of ASD in the world is 4 years, but science is moving forward and modern diagnostic techniques have proven their effectiveness,” Sharman said. “This means that parents of children from 0 to 3 years old have all opportunities to socialize their children much faster into a society that also needs to be informed about people with ASD.”
The conference also featured a panel discussion on the role of government in supporting children with ASD. Representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, and the Ministry of Health discussed their plans to improve accessibility and support services for people with autism in Kazakhstan.
The full program of the conference is available at conference.utemuratovfund.org.
This conference is a testament to the growing awareness of ASD in Kazakhstan and the commitment of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation to improving the lives of people with autism.