France has nearly 700,000 people with autism, but this is an estimate, because in reality only 10% of cases are actually diagnosed. Three years after the launch of the National Autism Strategy, where is screening?
This Friday is World Autism Awareness Day. On this occasion Emmanuel Macron went to Isère to visit a platform for the identification and treatment of this neurodevelopmental disorder. The Isère platform where the President of the Republic goes is one of the first to be installed in the territory. She has already taken in many children. The purpose of these structures is to allow and then facilitate access to the diagnostic process for autism spectrum disorders for children. These platforms enabled the identification of 6,800 children with neurodevelopmental disorders and 3,800 families benefited from an early intervention package, giving them access to fully funded follow-up.
How do these platforms work?
When a pediatrician, general practitioner or school doctor or maternal and child protection (PMI) wonders if a child under the age of 6 is experiencing developmental disorders, then he can contact a platform in his territory via a form. A doctor will order a workup to determine if this child has autism or a neurodevelopmental disorder. If this is the case, the doctor validates the entry into an intervention package. This means that the family in charge of the child will have care for 18 months from the occupational therapist and psychomotor therapist who will take care of the child with autism. Coverage with these specialists is reimbursed at 100%. According to the media 20 minutes, on March 1, 2021, 10,000 children had been taken to these platforms compared to 150 in February 2020. And 4,400 care routes have been set up and reimbursed. A helping hand for families who have to pay large sums to pay for specialists: occupational therapist, educator, psychologist. The only problem and not negligible, this intervention package is only available for eighteen months … The Ministry of Handicap wishes to extend this period and coordinate the routes in the same way.
700,000 people with autism and resources deemed insufficient
Endowed with nearly 400 million euros, the 4th autism plan which is spread over 4 years (2018-2022) includes four objectives: diversifying the methods of schooling, taking action earlier with children, diversifying the methods of schooling, supporting and boost the scientific approach and finally strengthen support for adults. But all the boxes are not filled … Associations specializing in autism deplore insufficient care. Between schooling problems, a lack of reception solutions, discrimination, few diagnoses and integration difficulties, the promises of the Head of State are not enough.
Around 700,000 French people have been diagnosed to date. Experts estimate that nearly one in 100 children are born with an autism spectrum disorder.
