Session 1: Mon, Feb 16, 2009 (7:30PM)
Session 2: Wed, Feb 18, 2009 (7:30PM)
Uncommon Grounds
1030 South Park, Halifax
Click here for directions.
Come join us for complimentary refreshments as we talk about research priorities and autism. Admission is free, but registration is required for this event. REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT. You are welcome to join our mailing list for notice of future public education events by contacting nte@dal.ca
Dr. Susan Bryson joined Dalhousie from York University in Toronto in 2001 to accept positions in the departments of Pediatrics and Psychology, as well as the Craig Chair in Autism Research. This chair was established through a generous donation of $1 million to Dalhousie University from Joan and Jack Craig. DMRF is supporting the chair by building an endowment to help fund the difference. A founding member of the Canadian Autism Intervention Research Network, Dr. Bryson is also well known for her work to establish the Autism Research Unit at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. Her research emphasizes early identification and intervention, along with emotional, attentional and psychiatric aspects of autism. Ethics Panelist Andrew Fenton, PhD, CIHR Postdoctoral Fellow
As a Neuroethicist, Dr. Fenton’s research interests include the nature and extent of cognitive diversity in humans (as well as other animals), and how this ought to impact societal approaches to difference in cognitive capacities. The latter interest has lead Dr. Fenton to explore not only some of the assumptions or arguments that give rise to seeing others as ‘dysfunctional’ but to problematizing judgments or descriptions that highlight difference to the detriment of accepting variety. This can have consequences for the just or fair treatment of others, including the provision of services or supports that aid in the cultivation of an individual’s full potential in respectful and affirming ways. Together with Timothy Krahn, Dr. Fenton has co-authored two papers on autism that reflect these interests. Another paper (in progress), also being co-authored with Mr. Krahn, will focus on justice issues and funding for Autism research in Canada.
Community Outreach Panelist
Michael Price has been Program Director with the Provincial Autism Centre since 2004. Michael worked for many years in residential services working with individuals with a variety of special needs. After managing a residential program in Vancouver for several years, Michael returned to Nova Scotia and worked to help transition residents of the Halifax County Rehabilitation Centre to community placements. He supported the opening of two new Small Option Homes, one for adults with Autism, and another new home for children with Autism. Having worked with many adults with ASD and with having an adult sibling with ASD, Michael brings a unique perspective to the autism centre, as is reflected in the unique programming opportunities they offer.
SUBJECT
The medical model of disability counsels the investigation and delivery of effective forms of medical treatment, with a strong emphasis on disease/disorder prevention. The social model of disability argues for the roots of disability residing in the ways that society is structured. Both models can be seen to acknowledge a need for research. These models potentially divide, however, on the ultimate goals of research: namely, to prevent, treat or cure (medical model), or to simply remove barriers and institute other social means to facilitate development (social model). This café seeks to explore the question of what kinds of ASD research we are currently funding or developing and what kinds of new ASD research we should aim to pursue and develop for the future.
The anticipated benefits of new research, regardless of type, are not uncommonly a risky investment. The public purse is responsible for funding almost all ASD research in Canada as well as providing for some of the existing social assistance programs available to persons with ASDs. This café will also explore the question of how we ought to establish public spending priorities that judiciously balance the need for sustained social services and supports for persons with ASDs in tandem with investment in future ASD research.
Funding for this Café Scientifique is provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
