January 27, 2023 | Mayagüez, Puerto Rico | Lorell Varela and Inter-American Division News

A virtual conference was recently held on the realities of children with autism. The online conference was part of a new certification program launched by Antillean Adventist University (AAU) in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The event, which was covered by media outlets across Puerto Rico, drew hundreds of viewers.

There’s a great need among families with children with autism and it was important to provide awareness and expert advice during this conference, explained Ileanex Pérez, Dean of the School of Humanities and Psychology at AAU and part of the organizing team of the virtual event.

Dr. Ileana Pérez, Dean of the School of Humanities and Psychology at Antillean Adventist University in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, hosts he first online conference on autism which is part of a new certification program launched recently. The online event held Nov. 14, 2022 drew hundreds of online viewers and was covered by the media on the island. [Photo: Comunicaciones Antillean]
A study done after the 2010 census in Puerto Rico revealed that one out of every 62 persons has autism, which totaled over 28,000 persons with autism on the island. Experts believe that number to be higher today.

Dr. Manuel González Abreu, director of ABA Autism Services at Beacon Health Options in Miami, Florida, spoke about children with autism and what is behind their behavior.  “You have to alternate between easy activities for children with autism with difficult ones, explore different therapeutic techniques and learning techniques,” said Dr. González. “Use activities, preferably strategic ones, work with time duration of activities and use motivating activities that the children can choose themselves.”

Dr. Manuel González Abreu, director of ABA Autism Services at Beacon Health Options in Miami, Florida, was one of two experts who spoke during the virtual conference. [Photo: Comunicaciones Antillean]
Like any other child, children with autism have desires and needs too, said Abreu, “so behaviors occur because they serve a purpose for children with autism.”  Dr. González emphasized that persons around the child play a crucial role in reinforcing the child’s behavior whether appropriate or not.

Dr. Robert Turner, school psychologist in Miami Dade County, Florida, explained the particular characteristics of autism, and the importance of helping children with autism acquire social skills needed to navigate through their day and for life as an adult. “The success for any student with autism will fall back on the support team and systems he or she received from early childhood into adult life,” said Dr. Turner.

Dr. Robert Turner, school psychologist in Miami Dade County, Florida, explains the particular characteristics of autism during one of his presentations during the online conference. [Photo: Comunicaciones Antillean]
The four-hour virtual conference concluded with a conversation among the two experts who offered tips and answered questions from viewers.

“We are glad to have begun this important conference that launched the new certification on autism,” said Dr. Pérez. This is the only certification offered online on autism on the island and approved by the Board of Post-Secondary Institutions of the Department of State and approved by the Title II-A Program of the Department of Education Federal Affairs, she said.  The certification will continue every trimester for those registered and is recommended for graduates with an Education degree, social workers and health professionals.

Guest autism experts answer questions during the first in a series of quarterly virtual conference on autism  organized by the Antillean Adventist University in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. [Photo: Comunicaciones Antillean]
To view the virtual conference, Click HERE

To learn more about Antillean Adventist University and its programs and certifications, visit uaa.edu