The Problem

Irans Background

Diagnosis

Social Perceptions

Combating the Problem

aggressive impulsive insensitive

The autism spectrum includes disorders such as Asperger's Syndrome and Rett's SyndromeThe disorder affects the childs ability to communicate with others

Autism is a neural developmental disorder that appears by age 3

An introduction into autismCharacteristics of the disorder vary in expression

Autism often involves impairment of the ability to form normal social relationshipsClick links for more info or proceed to homepage

The autism spectrum refers to the varying degrees of extremity of autism

The Autism Spectrum

Levels of Functionality on the Autism Spectrum

Autism from a Neurological Perspective

Manifestations of Autism in Daily Life

The Social Implications of Autism

What is the problem?

1 min. Video Overview of Problem

The Root of the Problem

Why should we care?

Why Iran?

The Role of the US

The Global Issue Associated with Autism

The Root of the Problem

In resource-poor nations such as Iran, there is less awareness, support, understanding and education than in developed nations like the US.

The Monopoly within the Global CommunityAs long as 87% of the worlds wealth is monopolized by only 15 nations, inequality in all aspects of global life will thrive. Thus, perpetuating the inequality in autism treatment.

The Global Exchange of Autism Publications and Resources

This image shows the flow of ideas and knowledge pertaining to autism. Much of the exchange is made solely between the developed nations. Entire nations are excluded, such as Iran.

Why We Should Care

Globalization is shrinking the world, we should take care of our neighbors. Each nation is affected by autism, yet there is still no cure. To promote collaboration to achieve an overall healthier, happier global community.

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability (129 children diagnosed/day). Yet some countries still struggle/fail to diagnose it.

Why Iran?Iran is relatively familiar to most Americans due to our political involvement in the Middle East, thus making it relevant to the current day.It is not as remote as Sub-Saharan Africa, yet still underdeveloped. It has cities similar to the US, and rural areas that completely contrast this advancement.

There are several existing studies on the prevalence, treatment and social perceptions of autism in Iran to lay frameworks for our research.

Existing Studies of Autism in IranAutism in Developing Countries: Lessons from Iran Sayyed Ali Samadi and Roy McConkey Institute of Nursing Research: University of Ulster, Newton Abbey, UK

Slide 20: Prevalence and Services in Countries outside of Europe and North America Nilofer Naqvi In reference to research completed by: V. Rezaei, Hafez Hospital, Research Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Why the US and other advanced nations are failing to helpSelf Interest: The US aims to help, but often time foreign aid is not a priority The US shares medical research and findings with allies and other advanced nations The unrest between the Middle Eastern countries and the US does not promote collaboration on autism research

Continuation of slide

How the US and other advanced nations are failing to helpCultural Divides: There is a cultural and technological disconnect between western nations and less-developed nations, making the spread of ideas difficult In other instances, higher knowledge is being made available by the US to Iran, but there arent enough centers and professionals to generate widespread improvement in the public/the public lacks access to them

The Background of Iran

Politic s

Econom y

Rural Iran

The Cities of Iran

Brief Political Overview of Iran (79-present)

79-05 Mohammad Khatami as President of the Islamic Republic Liberal reformist

05-present President Mahmoud AhmadinejadReligious conservative

Mohammad KhatamiRelaxed cultural/political restrictionsPopular with youth because of liberal ideologies Made strides in improving Irans isolation from the international community. Resistance from radical conservatives and slow reform led to his presidential defeat in 05

President Mahmoud AhmadinejadAhmadinejad still rules today Irans government largely favors principles of Sharia law and Shia Islamic fundamentalism Protests or attacks against the government are severely restricted

Youth reformers face the obstacles of public apathy and censorship

Brief Overview of the EconomyThe economy is largely invested in oil exports

Irans GNP is the highest in the Middle East, but too low in relation to its size and peoplesInflation and unemployment are both nearly at 25% One flaw in leadership has been failure to keep up with the perpetual modernization of the global economyLink: Effect of International Relations on the Economy

International Relations and the Economy

Irans poor relations with global superpower USA has led to harsh economic drawbacks

Rural Iran

2 min. videoDaily life in rural Iran.

4 min. video-Rural life after the Revolution of 09

Rural Medicine of the Past

Future of Rural Medicine

Rural Medicine of the PastHeavily reliant on traditional treatments and curative medicine, practiced by Hakims (healers) Belief in proverbs, wise men's statements, religious statements and statements emphasized by literature, culture and folkloreHeavy dependence on herbal material for the treatment diseases.

The Future of Rural Medicine

With new organizations implemented such as the Higher Education and Ministry, modern medicine is beginning to reach rural areasYet the countryside is severely lacking in psychiatric health support

Iran City LifeDaily life in the major cities such as the capital, Tehran, is not much different from life in the US. There are metro lines, buses, cars, traffic, businesses, shopping malls, restaurants art galleries, hospitals, and schools.

Major Cities of Iran

5 min. video-Views of the Major Cities/Landmarks

Diagnosis

Services in Iran vs. US

Education /Written Sources

6 min. videoDiagnosis Stds. of Iran

Autism Services in Iran versus the US

Finding the medical professionals and the funds for an autism diagnostic test is very difficult

The doctors, services and centers devoted to autism seem to be innumerable and available at the click of the mouseUSA

Iran

Specific Service Options for Autistic Children in IranDiagnosis is done by private medical doctors or voluntary medical organizations, such as the Bavar Iranian Autism Centre in Tehran. There are state-funded day autism centers in Iran, but only in large cities and they have limited openings There are few options for medical facilities in rural areas of Iran, because they are still transitioning from traditional medicine (see hakims).

Centers and Professionals Available for Autism DiagnosisAutism centers are located in almost every state both in major cities and other accessible locationsMost states contain more than one facility Every state is home to countless professionals trained to diagnose autism, help treat the disorder, or aid in the daily life of the child. And most of these resources are available online A sample of these online resources

Online Sample of Centers/Professionals Available in the US for AutismAutism Centers for Diagnosis:http://www.autismdiagnosticcenter.com/ http://nh.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=NHDR_Autism_Servi ces http://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics-programs/autism-center/ http://www.usahealthsystem.com/autism-diagnosis http://www.massgeneral.org/children/services/treatmentprograms.aspx?id=1 614 http://www.mayinstitute.org/location.html?id=464&state=MA

Autism therapists:http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_results.php?state=RI&spec= 167

Hired, trained care-takers for the special needs:http://archrespite.org/respitelocator

Online self-diagnosis test:http://www.firststepsforkids.com/introduction/does-my-child-have-autism

Autism Education and Written Sources

Little public awareness in Iran due to lack of educational resources. Many are in English not Farsi. We could find only one resource online written specifically for Iranians.

The US has days, parades, road races, blogs, support groups, story books, movies, clothing, art, items and websites completely devoted to promoting autism awareness and education.

For a chart on the basic global inequalities of written sources and collaboration on autism research click here

Social Perceptions

Common Responses to

Autism as a Stigma

Universal Responses to Autism

Denial

Proactivity

Sadness

Confusion

Concern

Autism as a Stigma in Iran

Viewed as a diagnosis of disability

Effects of Stigma on DiagnosisBecause of the stigma, Iranian parents have an abnormally large fear of an autism diagnosis. Even if the parents suspect there is something wrong with their child they will avoid having their child diagnosed. In contrast, in the US, autism is not associated with a stigma, but it does come with less-severe stereotypes. Yet, parents in the US are proactive in testing their children for the disorder so as to get the best and earliest intervention. Autistic children in the US can lead normal, successful lives. Children like those in Iran that live undiagnosed will never have the medical support to improve their disorder.

Combating the Problem

Overall Goals

Alleviating Inequalities

How we can help

Overall Goals in the Global Battle Versus AutismThe main priority is to ensure that individuals and families have the necessary tools, knowledge, and support to live a normal life The universal goal is to have widespread awareness and understanding The ultimate goal is to see accurate rates of prevalence across the globe

Alleviating Inequalities: Collaboration between the West and the Rest

Slide continued

More outreach from nations like the US to those like Iran by providing financial and research-based support Have more online resources in Farsi to promote education about the disorder

Alleviating Inequalities: The Breakdown of Stigmas Slide continued

Create support groups to form a network of families and individuals affected by autism. The stigma associated with autism is one born from misunderstanding With a community of autism within Iran, awareness and knowledge will spread, and stigmas will fade

Alleviating Inequalities: Better Distribution of Centers and Autism ProfessionalsWithin Iran there are 2 different levels of development: the city and the rural countryside The inequality that exists between the two, is the lack of access the rural families have to autism facilities and professionals The rural areas should have better access to such autism resources

What we can do to helpEvery individual effort helps spread global awareness Bring awareness into Iran today by liking the non-profit organization, Bavar Iranian Centre for Autism, on Facebook

Facebook Page

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Links Used by Slide

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