Challenges in Managing the Rise of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Expert Analysis on Care and Support

The researcher explains to TF1info that the increase in the prevalence of autism is not necessarily good news. If one could imagine that it makes it possible to highlight these disorders and to promote their management, this does not translate so simply into the facts. First of all because the plurality of patients now designated as suffering from autism spectrum disorders is very large, often not allowing the implementation of personalized support for each individual.

“We put the package very early on the diagnosis, but not on the care”continues Brigitte Chamak. “Despite the fact that we sometimes communicated on overvalued figures from projections, the creation of specialized structures did not follow. Worse: the number of day hospitals has fallen, while there is a great lack of child psychiatrists .” At the same time, “under the impetus in particular of certain parents’ associations, the integration of autistic children in school has developed”which is not necessarily the ideal answer for all young people. “Those who self-harm, who have fits, can’t go to school”, analyzes the expert. They require individualized follow-up with specialists and educators. She completes this rather gloomy picture by emphasizing that the situation of adults suffering from severe forms of autism is particularly delicate, with a major lack of care.

In summary, we therefore clearly observe an increase in the prevalence of autism. Whether in the United States or in France. If this is not to be seen as a worrying signal, it is above all a question of an evolution in the way in which these disorders have been defined and diagnosed for several decades. Although patients with autism are now more easily identified, their care nevertheless comes up against major pitfalls, which professionals observe and regret.