Vatican City, 18 November 2014 (VIS) –
This morning a press conference was held in the Holy See Press Office
to present the 29th International Conference organised by the
Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, on the theme “The
person with autism spectrum disorders: animating hope”, which will
take place in the Vatican from 20 to 22 November.
The speakers were Archbishop Zygmunt
Zimowski, president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers
(for Health Pastoral Care); Msgr. Jean-Marie Mate Musivi Mupendawatu
and Fr. Augusto Chendi, M.I., respectively secretary and
under-secretary of the same dicastery; and Stefano Vicari, head of
the Department of Child Neuropsychiatry at the Bambino Gesu
Paediatric Hospital, Rome.
Archbishop Zimowski explained that the
term “autism” was first used by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugen
Bleuler in 1911 to describe the introversion of schizophrenic
patients. Subsequently, in 1943, his colleague Leo Kanner described
the disorder for the first time, affirming that autistic children
were born with a congenital incapacity to establish normal contact
with other people. It is currently defined as a “neuro-behavioural
disturbance (also known as Kanner's Syndrome) of a pervasive type”,
of multifactorial origin. In general, autism spectrum disorders
manifest themselves before the age of three, and are life-long. The
most recent statistics confirm that around 1% of children worldwide
are affected.
“The many difficulties, including
those of an ethical, moral and spiritual nature, faced by those with
autism spectrum disorders and their carers have led us to choose such
an important, difficult and delicate theme for this conference”,
the prelate explained. “It will be a special occasion for observing
the advances that have been made in research and treatment, as well
as legal and political-administrative aspects; three valuable days
for listening and exchanging experiences, and learning from the
world's most qualified specialists.”
The Conference will be attended by more
than 650 people from 57 different countries, and will include an
encounter with the Holy Father during the Wednesday general audience,
as well as an exhibition of paintings by the Taiwanese autistic
artist Leland Lee, a moment of prayer and testimonies from people
affected by autism spectrum disorders, their families, and
associations. Various famous Italian singers will offer a musical
contribution.
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