Speaker/s: Dr. Leila Dirani, PdD.  is the Associate professor of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division_ Department of Psychiatry at American University of Beirut Medical Center. And Yassmine Masri M.D. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow at AUB.

This session consisted mostly of parents with children of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), creating a congruent therapy session for all attendees. Dr. Masri commenced the session by explaining what is ASD and why is considered a spectrum. Most importantly Dr. Masri highlighted the symptoms/red flags that every parent/teacher should look for. Dr. Masri also emphasized the importance of early intervention and detection: “early detection = early intervention = better prognosis” 

Dr. Leila Dirani continued the second half of the session with the Impact of Autism on the Family. She discussed the stressors that the families face such as personal and financial burdens, that may lead to change in the nucleus of the family. Furthermore, Dr. Dirani discussed the stages of grief the parents go through after diagnosis, the psychiatric consequences such as (major depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, etc…). In conclusion, Dr. Dirani positively introduced protective factors and some coping techniques. Emphasizing the importance of the role of the family in providing social support and empowerment. Dr. Dirani concludes by stating: “Parents always dream of an ideal child; what happens if the child wasn’t as they dreamt/pictured?”