Impossible to miss. The route is indicated as soon as you exit the metro, with very precise signage on the ground indicating the distance to be traveled to reach the entrance. Arrived in front of the House of Autism, nothing distinguishes this building with modern architecture from those which surround it. Only an expert eye will notice, perhaps, the specific arrangements which, from the threshold, have been imagined to accommodate people suffering from autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the best conditions.
Same spirit in the lobby. A “zen” corner, which closes with a curtain, has been set up to act as a refuge once inside. Like a landing, it serves to limit the stress that the discovery of this new environment could cause.
It is equipped with a remote control that allows you to inflate its walls at the level of the bust and upper legs. “This pressure on the body can also be soothing,” comments Marie Schuster. Several of these inflatable seats are also placed throughout the house.
The Maison de l’autisme, inaugurated on Tuesday April 11 by Geneviève Darrieussecq, Minister Delegate for People with Disabilities, is intended to accommodate people affected by these disorders, but also their relatives and professionals. Moreover, a documentation center is available to families to guide them in their search for information or care. Rooms are also devoted to the training of caregivers and professionals.
These investments are part of “the national strategy for autism and neurodevelopmental disorders” which, between 2018 and 2022, was endowed with 550 million euros. It should be renewed in June. As a reminder, autism spectrum disorders affect one in a hundred children at birth, or around 7,500 babies each year. According to the High Authority for Health (HAS), there are 100,000 young people under the age of 20 and 600,000 adults with autism in France.