Under the patronage of Pro. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abeeden, President of Ain Shams University, Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President of the University for Community Service and Environmental Development, and Prof. Hanan Kamel, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University, the Community Service and Environmental Development Sector of the Faculty of Arts organized a seminar titled "Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Awareness to Progress."

The seminar was supervised by Prof. Hanan Salem, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Community Service and Environmental Development. Dr. Mahmoud Fouad, Director of the Progress Center at the Egyptian Association for the Advancement of People with Disabilities and Autism, was the guest speaker.

Prof. Hanan Salem welcomed the attendees and expressed her gratitude to the faculty’s administration, led by Prof. Hanan Kamel, for their continuous support for individuals with special needs.

The seminar covered the concept of "autism spectrum disorder," its key signs, and the various theories explaining its causes. It also discussed the different diagnostic mechanisms, who is responsible for diagnosis, and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to reduce the severity of the disorder.

Dr. Mahmoud Fouad reviewed the characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder and how to deal with them during early intervention stages, extending to working with older age groups and various intervention methods.

The seminar also addressed the recent increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder and its impact on families and society. It highlighted the importance of a comprehensive treatment approach, combining rehabilitation, medical, nutritional, and behavioral interventions, and emphasized the positive effect of supporting families for the broader community.

The seminar stressed the need for a generation trained to deal with individuals with autism spectrum disorder based on scientific principles, along with maintaining ethical standards in professional practice when working with children and young people with autism spectrum disorder as they enter the workforce in the future.

At the end of the seminar, Prof. Hanan Mohamed Salem honored Dr. Mahmoud Fouad for his dedicated efforts in serving individuals with disabilities.