Harvard Medical School Dubai Center (HMSDC)
&
Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR)

Continuing Education Program

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Grand Hyatt Dubai, UAE

The Autism Spectrum Disorder symposium was organized in by HMSDC and DHFMR as part of HMSDC’s Continuing Medical Education series. A number of experts and heads of research laboratories and centers from the Region and abroad attended the event, including Dr. Haider Al Yousuf, Executive Director of Takamul, a center for excellence for people with special needs, an initiative of the Dubai Education Council.  About 100 participants received CME credits and an HMSDC certificate of attendance.

The symposium coincided with HMS Professor of Neurology Dr. Christopher Walsh’s visit to Dubai; members of the Walsh Laboratory preceded Dr. Walsh to Dubai and met with counselors and physicians at autism centers throughout the UAE, where they were able to consult with parents and their children with autism.  The team’s focus is the identification of autism genes, through cytogenetics and molecular genomic approaches.  The Walsh Lab is therefore working towards an understanding of the mechanisms underlying autism, and the team members’ research can then lead towards additional research focused on improved diagnosis and treatment of autism genes.

During their visits to autism centers in Dubai, Sharjah and Al Ain, the team was able to meet with the special educators at the collaborating autism centers, share with them updated information about autism diagnosis and provide genetic and family counseling to families who are interested in the genetic research. Through the various autism centers, HMSDC was able to publicize the symposium, the speakers and the role of the Foundation. During the symposium, each center was acknowledged for their effort and participation in helping expand Dr. Walsh’s research.

The four speakers covered different aspects of autism, including clinical counseling and genetic research: Dr. Janice Ware, Professor of Psychiatry at HMS, Assessment and Intervention of Autism (Dr. Ware is also a member the Walsh Lab team); Dr. Sabita Murthy, Department of Medical Genetics, Al Wasl Hospital, Genomic Screening of Autism; Dr. Christopher Walsh, Genomic Screening of Autism; and Dr. Valsamma Eapen, Professor of Child Psychiatry, UAE University, Genomewide Screening for Autism Susceptibility Genes.

Dr. Christopher Walsh and his team will be back in the last quarter of this year to conduct further investigations on Autism as part of their continuous commitment to the region. This visit will also allow the team to raise a public awareness campaign in favor of involving the community as a whole, not only on a professional level.

SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM

1:30pm Welcome Reception

2:00pm Introduction

Robert L. Thurer, MD, Chief Academic Officer, Harvard Medical School Dubai Center; Associate Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School

2:10pm Assessment and Intervention of 
            Autism

Janice Ware MD, Associate Director Developmental Medicine Center,
Director of Pediatric Psychology, Division of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Boston; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry (Psychology), Harvard Medical School

2:40pm Q&A Session

2:50pm Molecular Genetics of Autism

Sabita K. Murthy, M.Sc., Ph.D, FCCM, M.Sc., Ph.D, FCCMG
Department of Medical Genetics, Al Wasl Hospital, DOHMS

3:20pm Q&A Session

3:30pm Recognition of Autism Centers

3:40pm Reception and Break

4:10pm Genetics of Autism

Christopher A. Walsh, MD, Chief of the Division of Genetics, Children's Hospital Boston; Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School

4:45pm Q&A Session

5:00pm Neurobiology of Autism

Valsamma Eapen, MD, Professor of Child Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University

5:30pm Q&A Session

5:40pm End of Program

* * *

For more information about he symposium, please contact Jasmin Mehovic, Program Coordinator at +1 617-535-6518, or email: dhfmr@hms.harvard.edu.