Developmental Disabilities Primary Care: A Tale of Two Countries

Nick Lennox, Yona Lunsky

In this presentation, Drs. Lennox and Lunsky will present an overview of developmental disability primary care research, education and training initiatives in their respective countries, Australia and Canada. Both speakers will focus on the link between research, policy and practice, showing how research, when shared in the right way can influence how services are delivered and ultimately improve the health and well-being of those with developmental disabilities. They will conclude with some discussion of continued challenges or areas of future focus.

Life Transitions

Dorothy Griffiths

For all of us there are many transitions in our life: school, work, relationships, leaving our family home, marriage/partnerships, death of a parent, and eventually retirement.  Most of our transitions bring about excitement, anticipation and typically some stress. The life transitions for many individuals with intellectual disabilities are typically very different; their transitions can me marred by rejection, repeated failure, loss of relationships and kinship, isolation and loneliness, and powerlessness. Unless the life transitions are appropriately planned and implemented, they can result in challenges to the health, happiness and wellbeing of the individual. In this session, the life transitions of persons with intellectual disabilities will be discussed with reference to emerging social change, interagency/intergovernment collaboration, and the need for proactive individual lifestyle planning.

Supporting People with Autism and Their Families: Epidemiological, Clinical and Policy Research Perspectives

Héléne Ouellette-Kuntz, Susan Parish, Jonathan Weiss

This dynamic and interactive discussion among the presenters and with participants is intended to broaden understanding of the latest information on the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders, the contributors to health and well-being, and how public policy can impact on outcomes.

DSM 5 and ASD; two steps forward and one step back?

Peter Szatmari

DSM 5 has recently published a revision of the diagnostic criteria and classification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This represents a radical departure from DSM IV in a number of ways. This presentation will describe the changes, review the rationale and present current evidence on diagnostic accuracy of DSM 5. The strengths and limitations of the current classification as well as suggestions for future research will be presented.