Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed Authority for People of Determination, the 4th International Autism Conference will take place in Abu Dhabi from 25 – 28 April 2026 at the Abu Dhabi Energy Center, with wide international participation from experts, specialists, and decision-makers.
The conference is organised by Zayed Authority for People of Determination in collaboration with Lotus Holistic Group, ADNOC, and the global platform Skills4Mind, and in strategic partnership with the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, alongside a wide network of international partners, reflecting a model of integrated collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The fourth edition builds on the growing success of previous editions. The third edition in 2025 recorded outstanding indicators, with more than 2,000 participants from 15 countries, confirming the conference’s expanding international presence and its establishment as a global platform specialized in autism.
The UAE led participation with 1,360 attendees, alongside more than 400 international participants from across continents, reflecting the conference’s growing global impact and presence on the international scientific events map.
The fourth edition focuses on building on these outcomes by expanding international participation, enhancing the use of artificial intelligence in diagnosis and rehabilitation, launching advanced training programs, and developing evidence-based service models to achieve sustainable impact extending from individuals to families and society.
The conference covers six key pillars: artificial intelligence and innovation, scientific research, social inclusion, inclusive workplaces, excellence in healthcare, and inclusive education.
The programme includes a specialised scientific conference, hands-on workshops, an AI training bootcamp, and an innovation exhibition showcasing the latest technological solutions.
The conference coincides with the UAE’s Year of Family, emphasising the central role of the family as a key partner in the journey of rehabilitation and empowerment, and reflecting a national direction linking service quality with family stability.
His Excellency Abdullah Abdul Aali Al Humaidan, Director General of Zayed Authority for People of Determination, affirmed that the outcomes of the third edition reflect the conference’s success in achieving tangible impact. He noted that participation exceeding 2,000 attendees and the wide professional diversity demonstrate its transformation into a globally influential platform in advancing autism services.
He said: “We are building on previous achievements by expanding the use of artificial intelligence, strengthening international partnerships, and translating conference outcomes into practical applications that improve quality of life.
“We focus on achieving sustainable impact through cross-sector integration, empowering families, and developing evidence-based services that enhance the comprehensive empowerment ecosystem.”
Amina Al Hidan, CEO of the International Autism Conference and CEO of Lotus Holistic Group, stated that the fourth edition builds on a well-established scientific and societal journey aimed at developing an integrated system supporting individuals with autism and their families according to global best practices.
She highlighted that the 2025 campaign Smile… Your Smile Makes Them Happy evolved into a national movement promoting awareness, inclusion, and empowerment.
She also noted that selecting actress Jumana Murad as Autism Ambassador 2026 reflects her ability to convey humanitarian messages effectively and portray the realities of autism families, contributing to raising community awareness.
Al Hidan added that the conference aims to transform this awareness into impactful initiatives and sustainable solutions starting from the family and extending to society, within a vision that combines science, humanity, and innovation.
Dr Taha Reda, Founder of Skills4Mind and Director General of Data and AI Strategy, and Head of the AI and Innovation track, stated that the conference will highlight the role of AI in supporting individuals with autism through early detection tools, personalised learning, and enhanced communication and emotional support, promoting independence and social inclusion.
He emphasised the importance of responsible governance and transparency in deploying these technologies to ensure reliability and sustainable human impact. The conference will bring together global experts, researchers, and companies, alongside launching a specialised AI bootcamp by Skills4Mind.
The 2026 edition is expected to attract over 3,000 participants from more than 25 countries, featuring leading international experts and speakers. It will also include the launch of high-impact initiatives and training programmes, alongside expanding the innovation and technology exhibition.
Professional participation indicators from the third edition showed strong sectoral diversity, with over 480 education specialists, more than 400 healthcare providers, and over 380 therapists from various disciplines.
In terms of stakeholder representation, 78 per cent were direct service providers, 12 per cent represented family and community support entities, and 10 per cent were leaders and policymakers, reflecting strong integration across all stakeholders.
