What Somali Immigrants from Minnesota Learned about Autism

Abdulkadir Khalif's blog about Autism One conference>>

Here is an excerpt from blog by Abdulkadir Khalif, contributing editor for Age of Autism, about the Somali delegation to the Autism One 2009 conference in Chicago. Click the links to read his entire post.

"By the time all the delegates arrived there would be a total of nine men and nine women representing sixteen families some of who had more than one autistic child. It was the only time in living memory that the Somali people agreed on an equal representation between men and women on anything. It was also the only occasion I could remember where Somali men and women from every region of the Somali territories (Eastern Ethiopia, Northern Kenya, Somalia proper and Djibouti) came together, some conservative, others liberal, some traditional, others not so traditional, but all united for a common cause – the fight against autism and the welfare of their children. Here whether one likes it or not history has been made.

Autism One 2009 was a gigantic undertaking by any standards. In attendance were every private company or organization involved in autism or autism related goods and services. There were countless number of non-profit organizations and individuals each eager to display their wares and services. The hotel lobby was a like a bazaar in Cairo or Mumbai where goods ranging from latest electronic devices to herbs from exotic plants are sold. Doctors and other scientists mingled with the crowds between lectures answering questions by curious and anxious parents. Many parents who came with their ASD kids clung to them as they elbowed their way through the mass of humanity. Cameras flashed as people took turns for a snapshot with celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy and other household names. Lawyers, Doctors and other professionals held training seminars for their junior partners while parents learned new ways of enriching the nutritional needs of their families. In an impromptu meeting held on the sidelines of the conference our delegation realized that we have to split up and attend different sessions and later compare notes and exchange knowledge. Those who have limited language proficiency were advised to pick up as much literature as possible. Conspicuously absent were all levels of government agencies that would have autism and other public health issues in their docket.

What did we learn from Chicago2009?"

To find out, read more of Abdulkadir Khalif's post about the conference. He is contributing editor to Age of Autism and runs Parents United Against Autism in Minnesota.

Tags: Age of Autism, Autism One2009
Topics: Education, Family, Health Care, Health Care Access, Immigrants, Mental health, Public Health, Storytelling, Youth