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Abstract
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Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by early deficits in social skills, communication and by repetitive behaviors, which appear before the age of three years old. This neurodevelopmental disorder can be diagnosed in the early course of the disease, and specific symptoms can be observed early. The french “3rd autism plan” schedules a triptych “detectiondiagnosis- intervention” which guides our practice. Evidence that young age at the start of the intervention, earlier intervention and intensive programs are positively associated to the degree of improvement in young children’s behavior. Moreover, the importance of family involvement is crucial for the prognosis. We developed a specific early intervention unit in the day hospital for young children of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of Nice (France), dedicated to young children with ASD or at risk for autism. The aim of this unit is to propose a specific, intensive, brief and early intervention in children, through parental guidance. This program integrates both developmental, behavioral and psychodynamic approaches of ASD, based on clinical practice and recent studies. This pilot unit was developed according to the latest recommendations of the french National Authority for Health (HAS), inspired by international early intervention approaches, and integrated in our french care system. The intervention consists in two sessions of three hours per week, during two months, with a group of three children and their parent, supported by nurses. The aim of the treatment is the emergence and development of competences in the area of imitation and non-verbal communication (pointing, joint attention, etc.) relying on parental expertise. Interactions in parent-child dyad and shared pleasure are encouraged, via specifics game supports (sensorial, motor, imitative, cause-effect or learning games). Parents have a core role: this unit supports the emerging of parental skills and adjustment to autism particularities. The multidisciplinary team of the day hospital (specialized educators, psychologist, psychomotrician, social helper and psychiatrist) contributes to this specialized early intervention unit, giving parental guidance, psychoeducation, information, advices and medical support adapted to functional particularities of these children. This innovative program is pioneer in a french day hospital, offering intensive specific and early intervention in parent-child dyad before the age of three. Parental satisfaction, therapeutic alliance and clinical improvement encourage the development of this care.
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