After a year of existence and 100 children already in active line, the Lot-et-Garonne coordination and orientation platform has just been inaugurated.
This support and orientation system for children under 7 years old with neurodevelopmental disorders, allows early care to facilitate diagnosis, avoid over-handicap and promote orientation towards appropriate support. A device carried by an enthusiastic and very invested team.
As part of the national strategy for autism within Neuro-Developmental Disorders (TND), “today it is a coordinated course which aims to accelerate access to assessments, early stabilization and to fight against a wandering diagnosis. It is a joint reflection that was born with the association of families. This project was presented to the ARS in June 2021. And the promoters and actors did not hesitate to engage in this beautiful project”, underlined Danièle Bonadona, the president of ALGEEI (Lay Association for the Management of Establishments, Education and Integration). The Coordination and Orientation Platform (PCO) 47 is supported by the CAMSP (Centre for Early Medical and Social Action) /ALGEEI of Agen.
CPAM support
The green light was obtained and it was Doctor Fabienne Castejon who was appointed coordinating doctor for the platform and who proceeded with the recruitment of the technical platform, the implementation of referral procedures by ad hoc doctors and professionals and communication strategies. A financing agreement has been signed between ALGEEI, ARS and CPAM 47. “Health insurance must be at your side by facilitating financial support. Parents facing difficulties with their children don’t need to have any other problems behind,” said manager Olivier Filiol. A constitutive convention was born in the line, associating Planète autisme very proactive on the question of the identification of disorders of the autism spectrum, the CHD la Candélie, the hospital center Agen-Nérac, the association Solincités and the center resources from Aquitaine.
“Spotted, children are referred to private practitioners and health and medico-social establishments. Early detection of Neuro-Development Disorders is possible before the age of 36 months, which avoids loss of chances for the child. The accompaniment of 7-12 year olds is already emerging”, announced Emmanuel Lardy, administrative and educational director of the CMPP / CAMSP of Agen who is retiring and will be replaced by Jean-Robert Nortier.
Dr. Castejon stipulated that TND encompasses autism, learning disabilities and intellectual disabilities, specialized disorders of language and motor coordination… “By early identification which compensates for a delay in diagnosis, we can modify the behavioral trajectory of these children, reduce the prejudice, prevent all complex situations and lessen the severity which can induce behavioral disorders and chronicity”.
Shortage of psychologists
Joris Jonon, delegate of the ARS, estimated that “the trajectory was well traced with good professionals to make it work”. Even if the coordinating doctor pointed out before him, the lack of practitioners in sufficient numbers to initiate this care: psychologists and neuropsychologists. “There are only three neuropsychologists for the whole department”. A medical desertification that impacts the dynamics of this downstream platform.