The Court of Auditors drew up a report, revealed by Europe 1, on autism in France. The conclusions show a still ineffective management and an inability to integrate into society. Autism would affect several hundred thousand people. Symptoms appear very early, but most often go unnoticed and the diagnosis is often made very late. On average only after the age of 3 or 4 years, and that delays the care
Years go by, but the results remain the same. On the eve of the fourth autism plan, a report from the Court of Auditors persists and signs: France does not know how to take care of its autism. Out of all the patients, 15% of the children obtain a diagnosis and an early intervention – in clear, what is recommended in the accompaniment.
In this report that Europe 1 obtained, we also learn that around 1% of the population is affected. And this portion feels very lonely. Reading the report, we see children separated from their parents, relatives and, later, the world of work. For many specialists, isolation prevents a cure for the affected child.
A neurodevelopment institute
Other points are pointed out by the survey. The diagnosis of adults remains very insufficient, the components of the offer of care and support are very poorly understood or the absence of a neurodevelopment institute to ” structure and diversify ” the research. In short, we are only at the beginning of the treatment of autism in France: “If knowledge about autism disorders has progressed in recent years (…), it is still too incomplete”, regrets the president of the Court of Auditors Didier Migaud. This raises the question of immediate solutions as well as in the long term. The parliamentary committee will first hear specialists and then recommend recommendations, within the framework of the new autism plan.
The earlier the screening for autism, the more people with autism can integrate.
Autism is 3 categories of signs: difficulties in communicating, in establishing social links; children seem isolated in a kind of inner world. And behavioral disorders that are often difficult to analyze because all those that we tell, repetitive, stereotypical gestures, or cries are real but late
To date, there is no blood test or radio examination to detect autism. A piece of advice, however, which can lead to a new examination, called Eye tracking – the analysis of eye movements, which allows to see if the baby, facing an adult who is talking to him, is looking at his mouth. , eyes, nose, or surrounding objects. If you find that your child is avoiding gaze, if he is behaving in a way that you feel is “abnormal”, talk to your doctor. He may ask for this promising test which is still under study.
It’s a serious illness when it’s poorly cared for
There is often almost total impossibility to communicate. Today there are no drugs. On the other hand, many exercises to do, which delay the aggravation and could allow better socialization.
This is too often insufficient, to the great despair of parents and their relatives who sometimes experience a real ordeal due to the insufficiency of structures adapted to the school, educational, social and therapeutic care of their children.
We may be surprised that there is no clear rule and that the decision for example for a school depends on the principal or even the teacher. And it is all the more regrettable that the examples of successful integration are more numerous than the failures, and that this can be enriching for everyone. However, associations of parents and professionals have been created to support autistic people and their families with educational care and support for families.
There are many children with autism who are far above average in intelligence. The notion of repetitiveness of words or actions which the cinema is extremely fond of – remember Rain man – is one of the characteristics. This does not unfortunately prevent them from having trouble communicating. And at a time when communication is everywhere, it is a serious handicap.
We do not know the cause or causes, but we feel that we are approaching because the chemistry of the brain gradually reveals its secrets. Autism is thought to be a disorder of the early stages of brain development.
The state spends around 7 billion euros on patient care, with limited success. Let us also remember that this subject is taken particularly to heart at the Elysee Palace and not only for the president. The first lady has spoken on this subject several times.
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