EARLY CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:
EARLY CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Professor of Psychiatry
University of California
Speaker topics:
- Autism Research: What we know and what we don’t
- Anxiety in Autism
- The Neurobiology of Autism
Bio:
Dr. David Amaral is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California in the United States. He joined the University of California, Davis in 1995 as a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Center for Neuroscience. Dr. Amaral was the Beneto Foundation Chair founding Research Director of the MIND Institute from 1998 to 2018.
Dr. Amaral started the Autism Phenome Project in 2006 with the collaboration of numerous MIND Institute faculty and staff, and the project has become the largest, single-site, longitudinal analysis of young autistic children. In 2015, Dr. Amaral became Editor-in-Chief of Autism Research, the official journal of INSAR. He has published over 350 research articles that have been cited 83,000 times. He has co-edited three books. In 2019, Amaral was elected to the prestigious US National Academy of Medicine.
Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London
Speaker topics:
- Autism and mental health with a special focus on trauma and PTSD
- Autism and ageing
- How has the concept of Autism changed over the last three decades, and what are the implication for research and practice?
Bio:
Dr. Francesca Happé is Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London.
She is a Fellow of the British Academy and the Academy of Medical Sciences, a past-President of the International Society for Autism Research and has received the British Psychological Society Spearman Medal and President’s Award, Experimental Psychology Society Prize, and Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award. She is co-author/editor of two recent books – Autism: A New Introduction to Psychological Theory and Debate (with Sue Fletcher-Watson), and Girls and Autism: Educational, Family and Personal Perspectives (with Barry Carpenter and Jo Egerton). In 2021 she was awarded a CBE by HRH Queen Elizabeth II for services to the study of autism.
She is actively engaged in studies of abilities and assets in autism, and their relation to detail-focused cognitive style. Some of her recent work focuses on mental health on the autism spectrum, and under-researched groups including women and the elderly.
Professor of Special Education
Adelphi University, New York
Speaker topics:
- 4 As of Autism: Awareness to Acceptance to Appreciation to Action as a pathway to fulfilling productive lives.
- Listening to autistic voices: What participatory research reveals about prioritising good mental health for autistic individuals.
- Senses and sensibilities: An inside view on recognising and supporting individuals with sensory issues.
Bio:
Nonverbal until the age of 4 years and diagnosed with “Atypical Development and strong autistic tendencies”, Dr. Shore was recommended for institutionalised care. However, with much support from his parents, teachers, his wife and others, Stephen went on to become a full time Professor at Adelphi University and Adjunct Professor at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. His focus is on promoting the alignment of best practice to support autistic people to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen is an internationally renowned educator, consultant and author on autism lifespan issues in relation to education, relationships, employment, and self-advocacy. His most recent book College for Students with Disabilities combines personal stories and research for promoting success in higher education.
A current board member of Autism Speaks, the Organisation for Autism Research (OAR), the Boston Higashi School, President Emeritus of the Association for Autism and Neurodiversity, and Advisory Board member of the Autism Society, Dr. Shore also serves on the Boards of numerous other autism related organisations.
Dr. Stephen Shore combines personal, practical, and academic experiences to promote fulfilling and productive lives for autistic, and otherwise neurodivergent individuals, as the rule rather than the exception.
Professor of Psychiatry and Paediatrics
Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston
Speaker topics:
- Profound Autism: Seeking Consensus and Services
- Multidisciplinary Approach to Intense Behaviour: Evidence and Practice.
- Autism and Catatonia: Convergence and Divergence
Bio:
Matthew Siegel, MD is a Professor of Psychiatry and Paediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine, a Senior Instructor at Harvard Medical School, Chief of Clinical Enterprise for Boston Children’s Hospital Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, and Chief Behaviour Health Officer for Franciscan Children’s Hospital. He attended Amherst College, Stanford Medical School and trained at Brown University in child psychiatry, psychiatry, and paediatrics.
Dr. Siegel built an internationally recognised continuum of care, teaching and research to address the behavioural health of youth with autism and other developmental disabilities in Maine. He founded and is the principal investigator of the Autism and Developmental Disorders Inpatient Research Collaborative (ADDIRC), and founded the first U.S. learning health network of hospital psychiatric units serving youth with developmental disabilities. His research and clinical work have focused on better understanding the phenotypic profiles and clinical needs of youth with profound autism, intense behaviour and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. He has led the creation of the Autism Inpatient Collection, a data resource of over 1500 deeply phenotyped and genetically sequenced participants, heavily weighted to those with profound autism and intense behaviour, available to investigators worldwide through SFARIBase. Dr. Siegel is a federally appointed member of the National Institutes of Health Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee and a lead author of the practice guidelines of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for assessment and treatment of youth with autism, and youth with intellectual disability.
Professor of Psychiatry
University of California
Bio:
Dr. David Amaral is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California in the United States. He joined the University of California, Davis in 1995 as a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Center for Neuroscience. Dr. Amaral was the Beneto Foundation Chair founding Research Director of the MIND Institute from 1998 to 2018.
Dr. Amaral started the Autism Phenome Project in 2006 with the collaboration of numerous MIND Institute faculty and staff, and the project has become the largest, single-site, longitudinal analysis of young autistic children. In 2015, Dr. Amaral became Editor-in-Chief of Autism Research, the official journal of INSAR. He has published over 350 research articles that have been cited 83,000 times. He has co-edited three books. In 2019, Amaral was elected to the prestigious US National Academy of Medicine.
Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London.
Bio:
Dr. Francesca Happé is Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London.
She is a Fellow of the British Academy and the Academy of Medical Sciences, a past-President of the International Society for Autism Research and has received the British Psychological Society Spearman Medal and President’s Award, Experimental Psychology Society Prize, and Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award. She is co-author/editor of two recent books – Autism: A New Introduction to Psychological Theory and Debate (with Sue Fletcher-Watson), and Girls and Autism: Educational, Family and Personal Perspectives (with Barry Carpenter and Jo Egerton). In 2021 she was awarded a CBE by HRH Queen Elizabeth II for services to the study of autism.
She is actively engaged in studies of abilities and assets in autism, and their relation to detail-focused cognitive style. Some of her recent work focuses on mental health on the autism spectrum, and under-researched groups including women and the elderly.
Professor of Special Education
Adelphi University, New York
Bio:
Nonverbal until the age of 4 years and diagnosed with “Atypical Development and strong autistic tendencies”, Dr. Shore was recommended for institutionalised care. However, with much support from his parents, teachers, his wife and others, Stephen went on to become a full time Professor at Adelphi University and Adjunct Professor at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. His focus is on promoting the alignment of best practice to support autistic people to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen is an internationally renowned educator, consultant and author on autism lifespan issues in relation to education, relationships, employment, and self-advocacy. His most recent book College for Students with Disabilities combines personal stories and research for promoting success in higher education.
A current board member of Autism Speaks, the Organisation for Autism Research (OAR), the Boston Higashi School, President Emeritus of the Association for Autism and Neurodiversity, and Advisory Board member of the Autism Society, Dr. Shore also serves on the Boards of numerous other autism related organisations.
Dr. Stephen Shore combines personal, practical, and academic experiences to promote fulfilling and productive lives for autistic, and otherwise neurodivergent individuals, as the rule rather than the exception.
Professor of Psychiatry and Paediatrics
Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston
Bio:
Matthew Siegel, MD is a Professor of Psychiatry and Paediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine, a Senior Instructor at Harvard Medical School, Chief of Clinical Enterprise for Boston Children’s Hospital Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, and Chief Behaviour Health Officer for Franciscan Children’s Hospital. He attended Amherst College, Stanford Medical School and trained at Brown University in child psychiatry, psychiatry, and paediatrics.
Dr. Siegel built an internationally recognised continuum of care, teaching and research to address the behavioural health of youth with autism and other developmental disabilities in Maine. He founded and is the principal investigator of the Autism and Developmental Disorders Inpatient Research Collaborative (ADDIRC) and founded the first U.S. learning health network of hospital psychiatric units serving youth with developmental disabilities. His research and clinical work have focused on better understanding the phenotypic profiles and clinical needs of youth with profound autism, intense behaviour and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. He has led the creation of the Autism Inpatient Collection, a data resource of over 1500 deeply phenotyped and genetically sequenced participants, heavily weighted to those with profound autism and intense behaviour, available to investigators worldwide through SFARIBase. Dr. Siegel is a federally appointed member of the National Institutes of Health Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee and a lead author of the practice guidelines of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for assessment and treatment of youth with autism, and youth with intellectual disability.
APAC 2025 PROGRAM
Welcoming an international audience, the Asia Pacific Autism Conference 2025 will focus on fostering understanding, promoting research, improving education, driving innovation, creating opportunities and working collaboratively with Autistic people and their families to inspire the change we want to see.
APAC 2025 will feature an impressive and diverse line-up of Keynote Speakers from across the globe who will be speaking on thought-provoking topics related to our principal conference themes.
Between them, our internationally recognised Keynote Speakers combine a wealth of knowledge and lived experience and are considered to be among the elite in the field of Autism. Accolades include Fellowships; founding research projects; sitting on Boards; publishing articles, guidelines and books; and receiving royal recognition in the form of a CBE for services to the study of Autism.
Keynote Speakers for APAC 2025 are:
- Professor David Amaral
- Professor Francesca Happé
- Professor Stephen Shore
- Professor Matthew Siegel
Full program coming soon.
KEEP UP TO DATE
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APAC 2025 Conference Themes
The Conference will bring together researchers, practitioners, educators, physicians, policymakers, Autistic people and their families to present research and best practice approaches in the field of Autism.
Conference Themes:
- Children, Adolescents and Education
- Adults, Quality of Life, Employment and Community Living
- Individual, Family and Community Leadership
- Health Wellbeing and Complex Needs
Children, Adolescents and Education
Educators, teachers, specialists, researchers, family members, and Autistic individuals are dedicated to creating inclusive learning environments for Autistic students where they can thrive. This stream will provide a platform to share insights, research, experiences, and evidence-based practices that support these ends.
We invite abstracts that address, but are not limited to, the following:
- Early diagnosis and intervention strategies
- Autism Prevalence
- Educational approaches and best practices
- Inclusive education and support
- Therapy Based Supports
- Social skills development
- Community Supports
- Family and caregiver support
- Technological advancements and assistive technologies
- Transition planning for adolescents
Adults, Quality of Life, Employment and Community Living
As the understanding of Autism has evolved, so too has the recognition of the unique needs and contributions of individuals on the Autism Spectrum.
We invite abstracts that address, but are not limited to, the following:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Employment experiences and outcomes for adults on the Autism spectrum
- Supporting Social Participation and Inclusion
- A focus on Human Rights
- A home of My Own
- Navigating Relationships
- Employer perspectives and cross-sector collaborations to enhance employment opportunities
Individual, Family and Community Leadership
This stream aims to explore the diverse and dynamic roles that individuals, families, and communities play in leadership.
This stream will cover a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:
- Individual Leadership: Strategies and experiences of self-advocacy, personal development, and leadership by Autistic individuals.
- Family Leadership: The role of families in advocating for and supporting their members with Autism, including navigating educational systems, healthcare, and community resources.
- Community Leadership: Community-based initiatives and programs that foster inclusive environments and provide support to individuals with Autism and their families.
- Innovative Practices: Cutting-edge practices, interventions, and technologies that enhance the quality of life for individuals with Autism and their communities.
- Policy and Advocacy: Efforts in policy-making and advocacy that promote the rights and inclusion of individuals with Autism.
- Educational Leadership: Leadership within educational institutions that supports students with Autism through tailored programs and inclusive practices.
- Cultural and Societal Perspectives: The impact of cultural and societal attitudes on Autism leadership and inclusion.
Health, Wellbeing and Complex Needs
This stream will discuss the health and wellbeing needs of Autistic individuals. It will explore approaches to enhance a good quality of life where every Autistic person has the opportunity to thrive.
We invite abstracts that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Physical health and wellbeing
- Mental health and Autism
- Supporting individuals with complex needs
- Sensory processing and its impact on wellbeing
- Social determinants of health in Autism
- Access to healthcare services
- Family and caregiver wellbeing
- Acceptance and inclusion
- Fulfilling relationships and social connection
Children, Adolescents and Education
Educators, teachers, specialists, researchers, family members, and autistic individuals are dedicated to creating inclusive learning environments for autistic students where they can thrive. This stream will provide a platform to share insights, research, experiences, and evidence-based practices that support these ends,
We invite abstracts that address, but are not limited to, the following:
- Early diagnosis and intervention strategies.
- Autism Prevalence
- Educational approaches and best practices.
- Inclusive education and support
- Therapy Based Supports
- Social skills development.
- Community Supports
- Family and caregiver support.
- Technological advancements and assistive technologies.
- Transition planning for adolescents.
Adults, Quality of Life, Employment and Community Living
As the understanding of Autism has evolved, so too has the recognition of the unique needs and contributions of individuals on the Autism Spectrum
We invite abstracts that address, but are not limited to, the following:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Employment experiences and outcomes for adults on the Autism spectrum
- Supporting Social Participation and Inclusion
- A focus on Human Rights
- A home of My Own
- Navigating Relationships
- Employer perspectives and cross-sector collaborations to enhance employment opportunities.
Individual, Family and Community Leadership
This stream aims to explore the diverse and dynamic roles that individuals, families, and communities play in leadership:
This stream will cover a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:
- Individual Leadership: Strategies and experiences of self-advocacy, personal development, and leadership by Autistic individuals.
- Family Leadership: The role of families in advocating for and supporting their members with Autism, including navigating educational systems, healthcare, and community resources.
- Community Leadership: Community-based initiatives and programs that foster inclusive environments and provide support to individuals with Autism and their families.
- Innovative Practices: Cutting-edge practices, interventions, and technologies that enhance the quality of life for individuals with Autism and their communities.
- Policy and Advocacy: Efforts in policy-making and advocacy that promote the rights and inclusion of individuals with Autism.
- Educational Leadership: Leadership within educational institutions that supports students with Autism through tailored programs and inclusive practices.
- Cultural and Societal Perspectives: The impact of cultural and societal attitudes on Autism leadership and inclusion.
Health, Wellbeing and Complex Needs
This stream will discuss the health and wellbeing needs of Autistic individuals. It will explore approaches to enhance a good quality of life where every autistic person has the opportunity to thrive.
We invite abstracts that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Physical Health and Wellbeing
- Mental health and Autism
- Supporting individuals with Complex Needs
- Sensory processing and its impact on wellbeing
- Social determinants of health in Autism
- Access to healthcare services
- Family and caregiver wellbeing
- Acceptance and inclusion
- Fulfilling relationships and social connection