Gene Therapy for Mutations in the IQSEC2 Gene

Free webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern time (US), Wednesday, March 18, 2025

Prof. Andrew Levy

The IQSEC2 protein is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Arf6.  Pathogenic variants in the X-linked IQSEC2 gene are associated with drug-resistant epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, and autism.  The vast majority of disease-causing variants introduce premature termination codons in the IQSEC2 gene, resulting in little or no IQSEC2 protein being produced.   We sought to determine if an adeno-associated virus (AAV) containing the IQSEC2 gene could rescue abnormal phenotypes in mice in two different Iqsec2 mouse models with premature Iqsec2 termination codons resulting in a knockout of Iqsec2 gene expression and in mice with a A350V Iqsec2 missense mutation.  In Iqsec2 knockout mice, the AAV significantly improved growth, corrected behavioral abnormalities, and normalized the seizure threshold.  We propose that success in the Iqsec2 knockout mice warrants a proof-of-concept study for gene replacement therapy in boys with IQSEC2 premature termination variants.

This was a joint webinar with the World Autism Organisation.

VIEW HERE: https://autism.org/gene-therapy-for-mutations-in-the-iqsec2-gene/

Language and Communication Issues in Autism:
Let’s Talk About Talking

Free webinar at 4 p.m. Eastern time (US), MONDAY, October 27, 2025

Prof. Olga Bogdashina

Difficulties with language and communication are one of the defining features of autism. We’ll investigate language peculiarities and development in autism from the perspective of different sensory perceptual processes and cognitive styles; then we can see that autistic (including non-verbal) people do communicate (though sometimes their attempts to transmit information are unnoticed by their non-autistic communicative partners); they do not lack communicative intent but rather often use unconventional means of communication.

To communicate successfully, we have to speak the same language. Teaching autistic children ‘our’ language is not good enough; we have to learn ‘their’ language(s) and communication systems as well.

This was a joint webinar with the World Autism Organization.

VIEW HERE: https://autism.org/language-and-communication-issues-in-autism-lets-talk-about-talking/

GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2025

Due to unforseen circumstances, the General Assembly 2025, which was to be held in November 2025, had to be postponed and will be held online on DATE (to be advised) at 15:00 UTC/ITC .

Subscribed and paid up members may vote. Visitors are welcome but cannot vote. Registration is essential: send and email to info.wao22@gmail.com with ‘Request for link for GA attendance’ in the subject line. The link, as well as other relevant information will be sent some days before the event.

GOOD NEWS! It was decided at the General Assembly in 2020 that INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP be reduced from €30 to €15, to make membership more accessible for those in lesser resourced countries or circumstances.

Click here to: Become a Member

to renew your membership or sign up. (Membership renewal forms get sent out in January).

You also have the opportunity to GIFT membership: Members may gift or sponsor individual membership by filling in their chosen beneficiary’s details or by sending it as an open sponsorship to be allocated by the Membership committee.

If you would like to apply for sponsored membership, you may do so by sending an email to info.wao22@gmail.com with SPONSORED MEMBER in the subject line and the following details:

Your name;  whether you are autistic, a family member of someone who is autistic, a teacher, assistant, care worker or how you are involved with Autism;  your postal and email address, country where you live and a short motivation as to why you need to be sponsored.  Sponsorships may be granted depending on donor sponsorships being available.  The membership sponsor committee will take the final decision and no discussions will be entered into.  We would also like to know in what way you hope to make a difference within your community with your sponsored membership from the World Autism Organisation.

The WORLD AUTISM ORGANISATION does not have salaried employees, we are all volunteers, thus any and all funds go towards improving the lives and outcomes of those with Autism and their families. We are grateful for any and all DONATIONS to support our work:

To DONATE any amount please go to the following link:  https://worldautismorganisation.com/please-donate/

Please send proof of payment, including Amount and Full Name of Donor or Organisation Name, email address and telephone number to info@worldautismorganisation.com.

Thank you for your support! We truly appreciate all contributions tremendously!

We hope that you are keeping healthy and safe by following the rules of sanitising, masking and keeping a safe distance.  It is a difficult time for everyone around the world.  We hope to be able to share some good practices and visual explanations so that it is easier to manage our daily lives within the home and outside in the community and in society.

For more information, questions and notification of broken links,  please send an email to info.wao22@gmail.com

Definition of Autism

According to our current constitution, Autism is understood in accordance with the definitions formulated in the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder IV) and the ICD 10 (International Classification of Diseases). DSM-V is being used, with the difference that more positive ways of descriptions, reporting or advice are promoted. We are working on updating the constitution to reflect current Good Autism Practice.

Furthermore we are in the process of updating the definition in line with the UNCRPD, We are enlisting the help of Autistics to formulate an Autism-friendly definition which takes into consideration the lived experience of Autism, as well as acknowledging the need for a formal or fairly uniform definition for assessment and diagnostic purposes. We welcome your input to info@worldautismorganisation.com

The objectives of World Autism Organisation are :

1. to promote among all people and nations the highest possible quality of life for people with autism and their families. To this end World Autism Organisation will act as:

• • an advocate of measures to promote such quality of life;

  • a leader in developing, proposing and recommending such measures;

  • a communicator of plans for and progress of autistic projects and practices;

  • a co-ordinator of efforts of national member associations, government agencies, professional groups and international organisations to advance understanding and services for persons with autism;

  • where no such national organisation exists, provide information directly to autistic people their parents and families and if they so request provide support in the establishment of such an organisation.

2. to strengthen the self-awareness of persons with autism, to develop their personality, self-respect and sense of responsibility ;

3. to advance the rights of people with autism and their families without regard to nationality, race, gender or creed, by securing on their behalf from all possible sources, the provision of support, residential, educational, training, employment and welfare health services ;

4. to create a common bond of understanding among persons with autism, their parents and families throughout the world ;

5. to promote the interests of persons with autism and their families by bringing about co-operation among organisations representing national endeavour in their behalf ;

6. to promote the highest possible level of knowledge and competency among professionals of autism, encompassing the most current scientific information and validated techniques.

The functions of the World Autism Organisation are:

To attain the above objectives, the World Autism Organisation, in collaboration with Regional and National Organisations, will work consistently and tirelessly :

1. to improve and modernise throughout the world public policies and practices governing the education, health, welfare, social security, rehabilitation, employment, sports and recreation for people with autism ;

2. to encourage the exchange of information and experience between all organisations whose activities relate to the goals of World Autism Organisation ;

3. to disseminate accurate information and to promote enlightened attitudes on the part of the people of the world towards people with autism ;

   to encourage and co-ordinate the conduct of research and studies in all fields of autism ;

4. to promote and co-ordinate technical and material assistance in furtherance of the aims of World Autism Organisation in areas where such help is required ;

5. to solicit the support of national governments, national and international organisations everywhere to support programmes and policies of World Autism Organisation

   and of organisations of and for people with autism and their families, and to assist and to advise those bodies in their implementation ;

6. to take any other measures necessary or conducive to the achievement of the objectives of World Autism Organisation.