On this World Autism Awareness Day, a new listening, information and service platform is opening: Autism Info Service.
On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, a new phone, web and chat platform is open: Autism Info Service. “We launched this project because we had the opportunity to see how much families lacked such a device. We ourselves, while looking for information, we missed it”, explain to the Huffington Post Florent Chapel and Samuel Le Bihan, co-presidents of Autism Info Service and each father of an autistic child.
Fight against family isolation
700,000 people are affected by autism in France. It is a listening platform to fight against the isolation of families, to produce reliable information on the disease and to provide services. “Respondents can direct callers to the right services through the resource directory, or advise them on their rights, depending on their specific needs. They rely on a network of experts to provide answers to questions the most sensitive, in particular on the legal, medical and administrative levels”, further explain the two presidents.
Difficult to diagnose, “Autism Spectrum Disorders” (or “ASD”) are characterized by qualitative alterations in social interactions, communication problems (language and non-verbal communication), as well as behavioral disorders corresponding to a repertoire restricted, stereotyped and repetitive interests and activities. The associated disability is variable, ranging from mild to severe. It is almost always associated with learning difficulties.
The incidence of autism is steadily increasing worldwide
In recent years, the frequency of autism is steadily increasing worldwide. Since the 2000s, it has gone from 5 children per 10,000 to one child in 100, to the point that some specialists speak of an “epidemic”. In France, autism is diagnosed on average between 3 and 5 years old, which is too late, according to the Haute Autorité de Santé.
In practice :
A free number: 0 800 71 40 40.
Opening of the call center from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as every Tuesday, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to facilitate access to active people.
A website : www.autismeinfoservice.fr.
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