In a move aimed at eradicating the stigma and seclusion experienced by people suffering from autism spectrum disorders, Pope Francis has set a meeting with autistic children along with their families. Apart from the goal of eliminating the discrimination against those living with such illness, the pope also aims to assist in improving the public's perception of this condition.
According to Rev. P. Augusto Chendi of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, the international autism conference aspires to "help break the isolation, and in many cases the stigma, that surrounds people affected by autistic spectrum disorders."
Monsignor Zygmunt Zimowski, the lead health expert at the Vatican, shared that they opted to shed light on autism for this year's international conference in order to provide hope and support to families struggling with this condition.
The international conference, which is currently being hosted by the Vatican's health care office, seeks to discuss autism with the aid of roughly 650 medical experts coming from 57 countries. This convention is hailed as the largest medical discussion focusing on autism.
Dr. Stefano Vicari, the chief of the pediatric neuropsychiatry at the Roman hospital Bambin Gesu, autism remains as one of the widely unrecognized and undiagnosed conditions in most countries such as Italy. In addition, Dr. Vicari shared that 1 in 68 children in the United States fall within the autism spectrum.
Apart from medical advice, autism experts also point out that parents of children living with autism spectrum disorders should have dependable pastoral care due to the high probability of deciding to separate or obtain a divorce. Relationships of parents with an autistic child often become strained because of the financial demands and emotional turbulence brought about by the disorder.
One of the anticipated highlights of the international conference will be the speech delivered by Pope Francis, who has been widely known to for his tremendous concern for children living with special needs. He will be interacting with the hundreds of participants composing the papal audience at the Vatican hall. Another notable part of the event will be the music and movement dedicated to the children.
