APE 2022 MEETING

Dr. Clare Allely Reader in Forensic Psychology University of Salford Manchester, UK

Title: 

How certain features of autism spectrum disorder can provide the context of vulnerability to engaging in online and offline sexual offending 
 

Abstract: 

There is a real need for the identification and understanding of how the innate vulnerabilities which are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can provide the context of vulnerability to engaging in offline and online sexual offending to be recognised in criminal law. In this presentation we will explore how certain features of ASD can provide the context of vulnerability to engaging in sexual offending including hands on related sexual offending as well as the viewing of indecent child imagery (IIOC). It will also include a number of case studies and explore some of the features of ASD in the individuals which contributed or played a role in their sexual offending.  

Biography:

Dr Clare Allely is a Reader in Forensic Psychology at the University of Salford in Manchester, England and is an affiliate member of the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre at Gothenburg University, Sweden. Clare is also an Honorary Research Fellow in the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences affiliated to the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow, as well as an Associate of the Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice (CYCJ) at the University of Strathclyde. Clare acts as an expert witness in criminal cases and HCPC fitness to practice cases and contributes to the evidence base used in the courts on psychology and legal issues through her published work.

Clare's primary area of research expertise includes investigating how autism symptomology can contribute to different types of offending behaviour (e.g., sexual offending; child pornography or crimes related to indecent child images; homicide; fire-setting or arson; stalking; bestiality; violent offending; terroristic activities) and autism across the whole of the criminal justice system (police, court, prison, probation and secure psychiatric care). One of the primary aims of her research is to develop and share best practice with both academics and practitioners and provide evidence-based decision making to influence future policy as well as investigate how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptomology can contribute to different types of offending behaviour such as violent and/or sexual offending, child pornography, and arson.

Dr. Manasi Kumar Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi

Title: Theory of Change and design thinking embedded mental health promotion agenda setting for peripartum adolescents in Kenya to adapt WHO/UNICEF program on Helping Pregnant and Parenting Adolescents Thrive

Abstract:
Background: The voices and perspectives of peripartum adolescent and young women have traditionally been neglected within health services design. User-centered design is a novel modality to explore their perspectives on mental health prevention and promotion opportunities that are availed to them.

Methods: This study took place within the context of World Health Organization’s and UNICEF’s Helping Adolescents’ Thrive (HAT)- Kenya program and is also nested within the NIH funded ‘Implementing mental health interventions for pregnant adolescents in primary care LMIC settings’ (INSPIRE) study in Kenya. The study was conducted in two government owned urban based health care facility sites among perinatal adolescent participants (n=10), policymakers (n=8), providers (n=8), and civil society members (n=5). The study brought the participants through a series of 7 workshops which included role plays and diaries to examine the meaning of mental health promotion and prevention, drawing upon their perspectives and experiences.

Results: The paper describes a theory of change-led mapping exercise that examines the meaning of mental health promotion for peripartum adolescents in Kenya. This mapping was accompanied by a concomitant user-centered design process that focused on what ‘form’ and ‘specific shape’ the promotion agenda and activities could look like. While the Theory of Change brought together key peripartum adolescent and young women stakeholders, women, others representing policy, practice, and civil society members also joined the workshops.

Conclusions: The Theory of Change conceptual map described in this manuscript can guide the process of intervention and policy development in general and more specifically for the Helping Adolescents Thrive program.

Biography:
Manasi Kumar is working as a Senior Implementation Scientist at the Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University. As an affiliate senior lecturer at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, she is involved in NIH funded research on peripartum adolescents living with depression. She has wide experience mentoring lay, non-specialist and specialist health workers in WHO’s mhGAP as well as low intensity mental health evidence-based interventions. For last 10 years her focus has been on strengthening teaching of mental and behavioral sciences in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education programs in various East African and South Asian geographies. She works on disparities in health systems in lower- and middle-income countries with a focus on mental health systems strengthening and maternal, child and adolescent mental health research. She is an affiliate associate professor at Department of Global Health in University of Washington Seattle, US and University College London. She is supported by Fogarty International Centre, NIMH, UNICEF and UK’s NIHR research grant mechanisms.

Title:

Bio-behavioural and interpersonal neural synchrony

Title:

“When it hits, you feel no pain”: A Potpourri of Music-Related Applications