TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBMA) — The state of Alabama is looking to fill jobs. One under represented group are those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Friday, the University of Alabama hosted its 23rd annual statewide autism conference.
Dr. Sarah O’Kelly, professor for the UAB Dpt. of Psychology, and director of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic at UAB Civitan International Research Center, stated that several of their speakers addressed the concern and need to provide those with ASD with jobs.
“A lot of the people that we work with are underemployed, meaning that they are given positions that don’t really utilize their skillset.”
O’Kelly stressed that advocates strive to not only find employment opportunities for those with ASD, but meaningful employment opportunities.
In addition to addressing disparities for those living with ASD, another goal of the conference is to present the latest research regarding the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and build upon the vision of creating better services for individuals affected by ASD by educating medical professionals, service providers, parents, and teachers, in addition to developing relationships across the state.
Soon, artificial intelligence could be apart of bridging that gap.
Dr. Armin Ahmadi from University of Alabama in Huntsville, and Dr. Daniel Adamak from Little Orange Fish are spearheading an A-I powered navigation tool for enhanced autism care in Alabama to bridge the resource gap.
The goal is to provide social workers with a tool to better serve clients, and connect families across the state to providers and resources.
“Bring all of the resources into a central repository, then were putting on the front end of that an A-I driven tool to help navigate those systems of care, and produce a playbook for that individuals’ personal situation,” says Dr. Adamak.
The Little Orange Fish program is in partnership with the University of Alabama in Huntsville, an the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
This article was originally published by a abc3340.com . Read the Original article here. .