Call for Papers

Call for Papers has now closed. Thank you for your interest. Authors who submitted will be notified by 20 March 2009.

Globalisation has brought people together in a way we might never have anticipated and yet the isolation and impact of an autism spectrum disorder on individuals and their families continue.

With its theme of Connecting Today: Inspiring Tomorrow, APAC 09 will bring together people with an autism spectrum disorder, families and carers, educators, researchers, service providers and practitioners from across Australia and the Asia Pacific region. It will inspire participants by providing opportunities to build relationships, explore intervention strategies, learn about new research developments and celebrate experiences and achievements and raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

Anyone with an interest in autism spectrum disorders may participate in APAC 09. The Conference Organising Committee particularly invites papers and participation from:

  • academics and researchers
  • people with an autism spectrum disorder
  • families, carers and advocates
  • autism spectrum support organisations
  • clinicians, therapists and case managers
  • teachers and educators
  • accommodation, support and community participation services
  • employment services
  • recreation and leisure services
  • policy makers

The Conference Organising Committee invites contributions to APAC 2009.

The APAC 09 Conference Committee looks forward to a stimulating Conference program to be developed from submissions by YOU, our colleagues, researchers, practitioners, teachers, health professionals, parents, families and people with an autism spectrum disorder.

The Conference Committee seeks proposals covering current and emerging research, clinical and educational practice and intervention and the every day life experiences and achievements of people with an autism spectrum disorder, families and others in the autism spectrum disorder community.

The Committee is keen to encourage presentations that foster sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas and experiences and other learning opportunities.

Diversity in conference presentations will contribute greatly to achieving the APAC 09’s Connecting Today : Inspiring Tomorrow theme and the Conference Committee encourages everyone to consider submitting a presentation to APAC 2009.

Key Dates

Abstract submission opens:
August 2008
Abstract submission closes:
17 December 2008
Author notification:
20 March 2009
Early Bird Registration Deadline:
29 May 09

Topic streams and keywords for APAC 09

The Conference Committee has differentiated the topics concerning autism spectrum disorders into four broad streams. The Committee requests that you identify a Conference stream and substream in your submission and, using the list below, identify keywords that classify your submission.

Conference Stream 1: Epidemiology, Causes and Diagnosis

This stream will cover the causes of autism spectrum disorders, related epidemiological issues, early identification, diagnostic and classification issues.

  • What is the state of knowledge about the causes of autism spectrum disorders?
  • Genetics and autism spectrum disorders.
  • Emerging research themes, issues and challenges.
  • Cross cultural issues.
  • Assessment and diagnosis.
  • The autistic brain.
  • Environmental factors.

Epidemiology, Causes and Diagnosis is further defined by the substreams.
When submitting your paper you will need to select the most appropriate sub-stream:

  • Prevalence
  • Etiology
  • Identification and diagnosis.

Conference Stream 2: Life Span

The Life Span stream will focus on the individual, exploring autism spectrum disorders and intervention strategies.

  • What are the major life transition points for people with an autism spectrum disorder?
  • What strategies effectively support people with an autism spectrum disorder to make life transitions?
  • How social networks support people with an autism spectrum disorder?
  • Interventions, innovations and challenges in social care, education and health services.
  • Social inclusion and achieving a good life with meaningful activities.
  • People with high support needs.
  • Schooling, further education, career planning and development.
  • Collaborating with service providers.
  • Self advocacy.
  • Relationships and sexuality.
  • Housing and support.
  • How social networks support people with an autism spectrum disorder

Life Span is further defined by the following sub-streams.
When submitting your paper you will need to select the most appropriate sub-stream:

  • Early Childhood
  • Children
  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Ageing.

Conference Stream 3: Family life, family functioning and family resilience

This stream will focus on strengthening families.

  • What families want.
  • What happens to families.
  • Experiences and strategies that help families thrive and stay together.
  • Collaborating with professionals, negotiating with schools and services.
  • Family advocacy.
  • Experiences of siblings and other family members.
  • How social networks support families?
  • Building family capacity and family centred services.
  • Family fears, anxieties and dreams.

Family life, family function and family resilience is further defined by the following sub-streams.
When submitting your paper you will need to select the most appropriate sub-stream:

  • Family functioning and dynamics
  • Building resilience and capacity
  • Community life and participation
  • Siblings and family members
  • Navigating care systems
  • Advocacy
  • Education
  • Other.

Stream 4: Autism across Australia and the Asia Pacific Region

This stream will explore culture, intervention and policy responses in care, education and health.

  • Cultural factors.
  • Government policy and strategies
  • Media portrayal of people with an autism spectrum disorder.
  • Indigenous communities and autism spectrum disorders.
  • Learnings about inclusion, identification and intervention from across the region.
  • Opportunities for regional collaboration.

Autism in the Asia Pacific Region is further determined by the following sub-streams.
When submitting your paper you will need to select the most appropriate sub-stream:

  • Government
  • Culture
  • Policy
  • Media

Keywords

The identification of Keywords will help the Conference Committee further classify and allocate your paper. Please use the following keywords that help define your submission.

  • Abilities
  • Advocacy
  • Behaviour
  • Biomedical
  • Communication
  • Culture
  • Diversity
  • Education
  • Emotional regulation
  • Employment
  • Government policy
  • Inclusion
  • Intervention
  • Mental health
  • Relationships
  • Research
  • Sensory, issues
  • Sexuality
  • Social development
  • Social relationships
  • Social networks
  • Social skills
  • Strengths
  • Transition

Sessions

To create a dynamic, engaging program that facilitates knowledge exchange, the Conference will offer a range of sessions, including oral paper presentations; personal stories and narratives; panel discussions and educational symposiums; key note sessions; practice workshops and ‘how to’ sessions; poster sessions; and debate forums.

Oral Paper Presentation

An oral paper presentation is a great way of informing the audience about research, theoretical, professional or practice issues in a concise manner. Presenters will have 20 minutes to present their original and innovative work. Although there may be multiple authors for the paper, only a maximum of the two authors may present the paper. Abstract submissions for an oral presentation should be no more than 300 words.

There will be three papers presented per session followed by question time facilitated by a session chair.

The Conference Committee will integrate sets of individual papers into thematic sessions of one and a half hours duration.

Personal Stories and Narratives

Personal stories and narratives provide opportunities for people to present their every day lived experiences to others. Conference participants may attend a personal story and narrative session with the intention of gaining new insights or to better understand the lived experiences of others. Personal stories and narratives may be presented by people with an autism spectrum disorder, family members and carers or professionals wanting share experiences. Proposals for personal stories and narratives should be no more than 300 words.

Presenters will have 20 minutes to present their personal story or narrative. Sessions with personal stories will be structured to allow discussion and questions.

Poster Display and Poster Corner

The poster presentation involves displaying your research, theoretical, professional and / or practice issues in a visual format. This is an ideal medium for complex visual information and allows presenters to have personal interaction with your audience. More than one author may be involved in the poster display. Abstract submissions for poster displays should be no more than 300 words.

Some poster presenters will be selected to participate in the ‘Poster Corner’. This is an opportunity to present your poster to a group of delegates and other poster presenters. Each presenter will have ten minutes in which to highlight key points and address comments and questions. Selection will be at the discretion of the Conference Committee and only one of the authors may present the poster in the Poster Corner.

Skill Building Workshops

Workshops are available for those presenters who would like to offer an opportunity to develop participants’ skills using a variety of presentation methods. Workshops can focus on practice, theory, research, management and / or education. Each workshop is 45 minutes in duration and the maximum number of participants should be noted. Workshop sessions must be interactive and practical. Abstract submissions for skill building workshops should be no more than 500 words. Skill building workshops may be presented by a single person or a team of presenters

Panel Discussions and Educational Symposiums

The development of Panel Discussions and Educational Symposiums will be at the discretion of the Conference Committee, in response to a number of abstracts received on a similar topic. These ‘hot topics’ will be grouped together into a panel or round table discussion. It is anticipated that there will be between three and four papers in each panel or symposium. Participants attending the session are expected to actively participate in the discussion and exchange views with all the presenters. All panel discussions will be mediated.

Based on the response to this Call for Papers, the Conference Committee may choose to invite speakers top participate in a panel discussion or educational symposium on a specific topic. If you are interested in participating in a panel discussion or educational symposium, please indicate this on the online Call for Papers form when submitting.

Abstract Submission Instructions

  1. Abstracts can only be submitted online at www.apac09.org. Emailed, faxed or hard copy submissions will NOT be accepted.
  2. Abstracts must be submitted in English and adhere to the maximum word limits imposed for each submission type.
  3. Abstracts must be submitted in Word format in Arial 11 pt font type.
  4. Please submit your abstract using the template provided. This must be submitted via the online form at www.apac09.org. Please note that as submissions will be blind reviewed, abstracts SHOULD NOT contain details about the author/s. All details of authors will be captured on the online form.
  5. It is recommended that your abstract follows the following outlined format:
    Background
    Aim/Purpose
    Method/
    Findings/Results/Discussion
    Conclusion
    Learning Outcomes
  6. The author is responsible for the accuracy of the abstract.
  7. All presenters of accepted submissions will be required to register and pay for attendance at the Conference.
  8. The acceptance of an abstract for the APAC 09 does not imply provision of travel, accommodation or registration for the conference, nor any other costs associated with preparation or presentation of the abstract, or any costs associated with attendance at the conference.
  9. All abstracts will be BLIND reviewed by a review panel approved by APAC 09 Conference Committee. The Committee’s decision is final.
  10. By submitting your abstract, you agree to have your abstract (if accepted) and full paper published (if you choose to submit) on the APAC 09 website and in the Conference program handbook or on CD.

Next steps

  1. Automatic email confirmation of the submitted abstract will be sent upon receipt.
  2. Details of your abstract status, including presentation time and details where appropriate, will be forwarded by 20 March 2009. Do not contact the conference organiser prior to this date for notification of acceptance or otherwise as no information will be available prior to 20 March 2009.
  3. If your abstract is accepted, you will be required to confirm the presenter/s and pay the applicable registration fee/s by 30 June 2009. Failure to do so may result in your paper being excluded fromthe conference program.
  4. For further information, please contact the Conference Office
    Think Business Events
    Level 1, 299 Elizabeth Street,
    Sydney NSW 2000
    Ph: 02 8251 0045
    Fax: 02 8251 0097
    Email: APAC09@thinkbusinessevents.com.au

Abstract Review Criteria

All abstracts will be blind reviewed by at least two reviewers on the review panel which will consist of reviewers chosen from a range of perspectives.

Abstracts will be assessed by the reviewers selected by the Conference Committee using the following guidelines:

Originality – Outlines new developments, knowledge or research that provides a new perspective or deeper understanding of a current topic.
Relevance – Explains why this particular topic or issue was proposed and describes how the presentation relates, contributes to or enhances theory, practices and/or education.
Quality of data - Includes current references and appropriate background material to support the topic.
Overall presentation – States clear and specific learning objectives, proposes well organised presentations using methods appropriate to the type and length of session proposed.

Final Paper Submission

All accepted authors will be given the option to submit a full paper.

If authors choose not to submit a full paper, abstracts will be published on the Conference CD and on the website.

For those authors who choose to submit a full paper, this will be published along with the abstract on the Conference CD which will be given to all delegates.

Full papers must be submitted by 8 June 2009 and must be submitted as a Word document, and no longer than 5000 words. Full papers received after this date will not be published on the Conference CD.