We’ve been overwhelmed by the appetite for good information on the subject. The demographics of the audience has included 2-3 dozen psychologists (practitioners, researchers and Phd students) approximately family physicians, “hundreds” of professional (clinical) services providers from all disciplines (SLP, OT, PT, ECE, IT’s & ST’s), approximately 20% of the attendance has been educators (teachers and principals). 13%-15% of the attendance is parents and caregivers.
We’ve learned that there is significant research in progress about autism, across the continent and beyond, and highly respected Canadian “experts” like Dr. Peter Szatmari, Dr. Wendy Roberts and Dr. Jessica Brian can draw a huge crowd. The “local perspective” provided by Dr. Teresa Carter, Dr. Bruno Di Gravio and Dr. Ian Wilson provides a balanced program.
The sheer volume and breadth of the questions submitted (in writing) to our panel tells us that our work in providing knowledge and information, in a mixed audience forum, has just begun.
We’ve learned there is significant ‘rigor’ required to have an event accredited (by the College of family Physicians of Canada) for Certified Medical Education credits but appreciate the credibility it brings to the learning objectives for the day.
We’ve learned that the medical professionals recognized significant work was required to educate and support medical practitioners to improve the family journey with autism. Any and all efforts to raise the common understanding of the diagnosis across communities, and to improve the access to and coordination of services for families, helps build the capacity of the community as a whole to support these children and families.
Your evaluations tell us that we needed to continue to provide learning forums and to include opportunities for more conversation. The evaluations from one forum shape the agenda for the following year.
Many suggested other topics that we might consider in the future (e.g. FASD). The evaluations and much verbal feedback has encouraged KidsAbility to continue the Autism education we started in 2009. We have begun planning for Autism Forum 2011.