Elena Carratalá

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that currently affects about one of every 130 children. The observed difficulties are focused on the area of social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors. The need for innovative therapies that can improve their daily functioning becomes increasingly necessary. The Panel of Experts will focus on exposing three types of therapies that are being carried out from different workplaces to improve the skills of these children.

ADDRESSING SEXUALITY IN ADOLESCENTS WITH HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER 

Rosa Calvo Eixample Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona

During adolescence, social communication skills are increasingly important. Friendships play a greater role in the lives of adolescents, and most have their first romantic and intimate relationships. Adolescents with ASD often lack the knowledge and skills required for sexual socialization, and therefore, they need a specific orientation. These guidelines are presented in the training program Confronting Adolescents (TT) and in group intervention for parents of adolescents with ASD. Along with the 18 individual sessions of the TT program, adolescents with ASD receive psychoeducation and practice communication skills in various topics related to puberty, sexuality and intimate relationships.

DENVER METHOD FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Patricia Romarís School Learning Disorders Unit. Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona

The Denver or ESDM method is a model of intensive intervention for children with ASD age 1 through 4 years old. It aims to reduce the severity of symptoms and accelerate the early childhood development at all levels, but especially in the cognitive, social-emotional and linguistic areas. The intervention is based on three aspects: the need for the child's motivation to learn, the training in essential answers by techniques of Applied Behavior Analysis, and active participation of parents as part of treatment. Parents are trained to work with their children daily goals that have been set. Studies on the effectiveness of the Denver method shows that children who received this intervention improve brain activity related to social responsiveness.

ROBOT APPLICATIONS IN THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN WITH ASD

Jordi Albó-Canals Professor of Engineering at "La Salle", University Ramon Llull of Barcelona

Recent research is showing evidence of the benefits of using robots in treating children with autism. Professor Albó-Canals will introduce us to assistive robotics used for therapies with autism, differentiating between educational robotics therapy and social robotics therapy, as well as working individually or in groups. Robot applications will be discussed in terms of facilitative and monitoring tools, by presenting an active project entitled "Use of robotics and engineering LEGO to positively influence the social and emotional development of children with autism".