labyrinth congress

The LABYRINTH (Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Research in Autism) held, on May 19 and 20, at the Academic Unit Brotas, from Bahiana, the congress "Autistic Spectrum Disorder: interdisciplinarity as a necessity". With places sold out in just two weeks of registration, the event brought together students and professionals from different areas with the aim of discussing the main themes related to the diagnosis, treatment and inclusion of people with autism.

The interdisciplinary character proposed by the meeting is highlighted by the coordinator of the event and the Labyrinth, Prof. Dr. Milena Pondé. "Autism is a disorder characterized by changes in neurodevelopment that involve difficulties in various spheres, requiring therefore an assessment and monitoring by professionals from different areas such as speech therapist, nutritionist, psychiatrist, occupational therapist, neurologist, pedagogue, psychologist, physical educator and music therapist".

According to the Labirinto member and also the congress coordinator, Prof. Gustavo Siquara, the proposal of interdisciplinarity reflects the profile of the research group. "Our team is composed in an interdisciplinary way and the proposal was to bring some people who work with us and with other research groups so that they could dialogue, present the most current research and the best trends to foster a discussion about autism for both parents and professionals and students interested in the topic that is very challenging".

Thus, the program included lectures and case presentations from psychiatrists, psychologists and psychopedagogists, who were also present in the audience, such as Maria José Moraes Ferreira, psychopedagogue and supervisor of an elementary school. According to her, the event was very important to deepen knowledge and an opportunity to better develop the reception of children with autism and other mental disorders at school. "I'm here trying to get to know and go deeper into the subject. This event is a great opportunity, because here we find psychiatrists, educational psychologists and I believe that dialogue is along this path. Children need to be included not only in the classroom, but we need to know what to do with this child".

Márcia de Lima Carneiro Campos, mother of an autistic child and student of the specialization course in Psychopedagogy at Bahiana, says that her son's diagnosis occurred very early and, since then, she has been dedicating herself to the subject. "My impression of the event is very good because of the people who are speaking and the diversity of approaches. Since my son's diagnosis, I have been studying the subject and I see that my interest, which at first was personal, is now expanding and taking a proportion that I'm even considering starting to work in this area helping other people".       

the teacher of Bahiana and psychiatrist Antonio Freire, explained that it is necessary to change the idea that being seen by a psychiatrist means that the patient will be referred to drug treatment. He placed the participation of the psychiatrist in monitoring the person with autism as another agent in the development of better treatment. “Going to a psychiatrist does not mean taking medication, it often means shedding light on treatment possibilities, improving stimulation, seeking an interdisciplinary team”.

According to Milena Pondé, it is necessary to promote the inclusion of children with autism in school and in common social environments. "The child needs to be exposed to stimuli gradually and progressively, according to their difficulties and potential, so that they can better develop social skills and, later, work". According to the psychiatrist, inclusion in regular school, however, implies preparing teachers and students to receive children "who are very different, who behave in dissonance with others and learn in a different way and at a different time."