White Paper*: 2009 – Autism and its Therapeutical Approach

(Project – Structure)**

* A “White Paper” is an authoritative report and/or guide that addresses various problems and how to solve them. “White Papers” are typically used to educate the community and help people (i.e., often policy makers) to make informed and evidence-based decisions.

** The content of the “White Paper” will be filled in based on Conferences’ presentations and conclusions and the “White Paper” will be adopted as a Conference Resolution”

I. Introduction:

About Autism…

II. Present

Present State of the Field…

Challenges and Implications…

III. Future

Vision…

Evidence-based integrated psychological and medical services…
- Including community services to facilitate integration in the society and/or an independent life…
Well-trained professionals in collaboration with well-trained para-profesionals (e.g., parents)…
Professional services covered by State Health Insurance…

The proposal is good for all of us (e.g., patients, parents, society)…

IV. Steps to Follow

1. Send the “White Paper” to the major actors in the field (e.g., politicians, advocacy groups, professionals, para-professionals) and encourage them to contact their own representatives in the Romanian Parliament (Responsible: UBB and its Partners)

Psychology and Medicine Universities / Faculties are encouraged to include specific modules in their curriculum related to autism spectrum disorders (e.g., assessment strategies, evidence-based interventions)

2. Contact the members of Parliament who have had previous legislative initiatives related to this topic – Autism and Its Treatment - to elaborate a law project based on the current “White Paper” and on current regulations of the two major professions involved in the field (Psychology and Medicine); thus, the new law will be evidence-based informed and will have a large professional support and acceptance (Responsible: UBB and its Partners)

3. Media dissemination of the “White Paper” and of the law project based on it (Responsible: UBB and its Media Partners)

4. Implementation of a new evidence-based law, with a large professional support and acceptance, that can significantly improve the quality of life of the people with autism spectrum disorders (Responsible: Professional and Para-Professional Bodies)