This initial meeting will build positive exchanges and share technology and research for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and persons with TBI and Autism in the US and Japan.
These veterans and persons with disabilities face significant social transition and inclusion challenges. Many are suffering in silence. They need to be welcomed into: society, healthcare, community and work. The Conference panelists and experts represent national and international leaders in the integrated disciplines of: individuals with TBI and Autism, medical treatment for TBI, Polytrauma, PTSD and Autism, neuroscience research, national policy and civil society inclusion legislation; and community, work and therapy delivery networks. We will also build a roadmap for larger ongoing exchanges next year. This exchange honors goodwill efforts for veterans and persons with disabilities by the Ambassador of Japan, and we are honored to have a keynote address by Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Chief of Mission, Minister Shinoda from the Embassy of Japan, Washington, DC
.
Hilton Washington, DC Rockville Executive Meeting Center, Rockville, Maryland, USA
Minister Shinoda - Envoy Extraordinary, Minister Plenipotentiary, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan, "Welcome Remarks from the Ambassador of Japan to the First Annual US Japan International Symposium"
This goodwill exchange and meeting will present opportunities for sharing: challenges, technology and treatment for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD and Polytrauma and will share Japanese and US lessons for inclusion of similar challenges for persons with Autism, TBI and cognitive disabilities.
It will also cover current protocols for treatment and rehabilitation. Veterans healthcare-based supported employment goals, protocols and outcomes will be discussed as part of long-term health and recovery. Potential areas of interest for research, technology, and clinical practice will also be discussed and will include substance-seeking and neural science focus areas. Opportunities for future discussions, exchanges or shared research will also be broached.
Why is this problem difficult? An estimated 320,000 veterans are at risk for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The largest “mild-to-moderate” TBI population is hidden in plain sight. These Vets and persons with TBI are at great risk for: homelessness, to appear “different,” to not get hired, or to lose jobs, family, and homes. We are driven by a simple premise: they all deserve lives with a quality future. We shall identify shared research, technology, clinical programs, therapeutic employment and quality life outcomes for these Veterans with TBI and related models for TBI and Autism inclusion.
The Conference will invite presentations and contributions in the following areas:
1. The Face of Traumatic Brain Injury: We will include veterans here. We’ll examine profiles and challenges of veterans and persons with (mild, moderate and severe) Traumatic Brain Injury, Polytrauma, and related challenges (ie. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). We’ll also explore keys to preventing vulnerability to homelessness.
2. Treatment and Normalcy Challenges: Experts will share current practice for clinical treatment, transition to community, work, and family and sustainment for vets with TBI and persons with disabilities, and sustainment for lifelong health in work and community.
3. NIH and Clinical Neuroscience and Behavior Research affecting TBI: We will learn from NIH research in key areas: motivation, memory, learning and response inhibition. Recent TBI lectures to the American Psychiatric Association may be shared.
4. Long-Term TBI Risks: Lessons learned from Veterans Homelessness; We’ll explore vulnerability to homelessness, substance abuse, loss of work, family and social networks; impact on veterans and persons with TBI or related issues like PTSD.
5. Lessons from Social and Work Inclusion Challenges: We’ll address common lessons from US and Japanese treatment, transition, community and work inclusion models, and community advocacy for (all) adults with TBI, PTSD or similar emotional communications, response inhibition, and social interaction challenges – such as Autism.
6. Collaboration Models: New models will be examined such as governmental, community, non-profit, industry collaborations to reach out, include, and sustain veterans and individuals, (i.e., New York Traumatic Brain Injury Coalition for Returning Veterans).
7. Next Year: We will lay out opportunities for immediate collaborations and opportunities for innovation. Additionally we will explore a possible roadmap for an enhanced national and international conference and exchange for next year.