These two months of confinement could have serious consequences for children with autism. Without real care for weeks, the risk of regression is enormous. “They live according to routines. This is what allows them to progress. However, they were all arrested with the Covid-19 crisis, worries Stéphanie Valentini, head of the House of Leah. The work will have to be resumed from the start, for some. “
The director therefore did not hesitate to reopen, as of May 11, this private structure in Sarcelles, specializing in the care and pre-diagnosis of autism. The twenty children, followed by the association, will be able to find the specialists. Under conditions, and with maximum precautions. “We especially do not want to endanger them, warns Stéphanie Valentini. The reopening, I decided for the little ones. 90% have had no care for two months… ”
Special educators in children’s homes
Only the occupational therapist and the psychomotor therapist will practice on the premises of the avenue du 8 mai 1945. The meetings will be held at twenty minute intervals, “to have time to disinfect everything”. The neuropsychologist and the psychologist will consult at the Maison de Leah part-time, Saturday and Sunday. “As for the specialized educators, they will come to the families’ homes,” adds the director. We try to prevent children from traveling to the premises. “
Fabienne Sroussi had already taken the lead. For the past two weeks, she has brought in a specialized educator every day to help her 10-year-old son, Yossef. “It was getting very difficult, even unmanageable,” she breathes. His crises multiplied, I had to class my other children … He was no longer in place. May 11 sounds like a relief for the mother.
“For only a few weeks, it’s not worth it”
She has already made an appointment with the speech therapist and her neuropsychologist from Boulogne-Billancourt (Hauts-de-Seine). As for the school, Yossef will not return there. ” I do not want. Restart a routine, take the risk that he won’t feel good with his comrades… All this for only a few weeks, it’s not worth it, Fabienne believes. We will see in September. “
Stéphanie Valentini, too, advised families not to send their children to school on Monday. “Diseases multiply the troubles they have. If they catch the Coronavirus, it could be terrible, warns the director of the House of Leah. And then, if they contaminate their parents and grandparents, who will be there to take care of them? Nobody. They cannot be left to their own devices. “
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