To mark World Autism Awareness Day, four organizations — Autismo Abruzzo Onlus, Prima L'Aquila, L'Aquila che vorrei, and Benvenuto Presente — have organized a conference on Thursday, April 12, 2018, at 5 p.m. in the conference hall of the Gran Sasso Science Institute rectorate.
The Event:
The L'Aquila Model
Thursday, April 12, 2018, 5 p.m.
Gran Sasso Science Institute
Viale Francesco Crispi, 7 – L'Aquila
The conference will bring together medical experts, institutional representatives, and leaders from numerous organizations, including Pierluigi Biondi, Mayor of L'Aquila; Rinaldo Tordera, ASL Manager; Alessandro Rossi, Director of the Department of Mental Health; Marco Valenti, Director of the CRRA; and Monica Mazza, President of the University Disability Commission.
The discussion will cover diagnostic aspects, drawing on the latest autism classification criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), as well as psychological and rehabilitative treatment — addressing social communication, behavioral modifications, theory of mind, and mirror neurons. The speakers will also address clinical, educational, social, and family dimensions of autism.
The goal is to map out actions for the coming years that will benefit families affected by autism in the region.
The event will feature extended Q&A and discussion with the audience present in the hall, as well as online participants who can watch the live stream.
The conference will be introduced by Giovanni Cappelli, former assessor of San Demetrio and organizer of the event. Dario Verzulli, President of Autismo Abruzzo Onlus; Alessio Ciccone, founder of the civic movement Prima L'Aquila; and Mauro Cappelli, President of Benvenuto Presente, will also take part in the discussion. The question-and-answer session will be moderated by Fabrizio Pieri, coordinator of L'Aquila che Vorrei.
Source: Il Capoluogo d'Abruzzo