On April 18, 2026, the “2nd Autism Awareness Forum” will be held
at the Nizami Cinema Center in Baku, organized by the IDDO Mental
Health Program.
The forum, dedicated to the theme “A Holistic Approach to
Autism,” will stand out for its educational content and high social
significance.
The main objectives of the forum are to raise awareness among
parents, encourage more responsible professional engagement from
specialists, and emphasize the importance of integrating children
with autism into society.
Within the framework of the event, discussions will also focus on
structuring the field, existing challenges, and possible
solutions.
Jala Ahmadova, Head of the IDDO Mental Health Program, will
deliver a speech at the forum, providing information on the work
carried out towards regulating the activities of psychological
centers and psychological services. She will note that a
standardization committee has been established for this purpose and
will state that in 2026 it is planned to develop an ethical code,
as well as diagnostic and rehabilitation standards within the
framework of a multidisciplinary team consisting of an art
therapist, occupational therapist, sensory integration specialist,
sports specialist, psychopedagogue, speech therapist, and
psychologist.
It will be emphasized that the implementation of these standards
will contribute to improving the quality of early diagnosis and
preventing unprofessional practices.
The forum is expected to be attended by the Commissioner for
Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina
Aliyeva, Members of Parliament İlham Mammadov, Elchin Mirzabayli,
Malahat İbrahimkızı, Aydın Huseynov, Elman Nasirov, Konul
Nurullayeva, Mehriban Valiyeva, as well as representatives of
various state institutions.
Speakers will note that autism spectrum disorders are among the
most widespread and pressing issues of the modern era, and that
such forums play an important role in properly guiding parents and
increasing public awareness.
Rovshan Nazarli, Chief Psychologist of the IDDO Mental Health
Program, will emphasize the importance of early diagnosis of autism
spectrum disorder starting from 6–9 months of age. He will note
that delayed diagnosis is widespread and that diagnoses made at the
age of three may already be considered late, while also
highlighting the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach in the
rehabilitation process.
The forum will also feature presentations by invited experts
from the Republic of Turkiye.
Dr. Anil Gurkan will present on “QEEG Brain Mapping: How Do We
Observe the Brain in Autism?”, covering the nature of QEEG, brain
network patterns observed in children with autism, the assessment
of language, attention, and social interaction networks, as well as
the capabilities and limitations of this method.
Dr. Murat Balanlı and dietitian Ramila İmanova will present on
gastrointestinal issues frequently observed in autism, the
relationship between microbiota and behavior, the impact of
systemic inflammation, and modern biological approaches in this
field.
Psychologist Yeliz Ceylan will speak on behavior in autism,
emotional regulation, and family approaches, including behavioral
challenges, sensory sensitivities, differences between “meltdown”
and “tantrum,” as well as common parental mistakes and practical
support methods that can be applied at home.
During the forum, participants’ questions will be answered, and
informative discussions will be held for parents.
It should be noted that such initiatives make an important
contribution to building an inclusive society, supporting the
social integration of children with special needs, and expanding
their future development opportunities.
