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An Autism Plan for Mauritius

An Autism Plan for Mauritius. Increasing awareness will lead to more identification. Estimated number of children with autism 13,000 Adults will be identified too Demand for support and services will grow

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An Autism Plan for Mauritius

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  1. An Autism Plan forMauritius

  2. Increasing awareness will lead to more identification

  3. Estimated number of children with autism 13,000 • Adults will be identified too • Demand for support and services will grow • These children have potential and can be economically active or become a burden for the state • All staff and agencies working with children need autism awareness

  4. Parents need a clear care pathway • Early identification to diagnosis to management plan to IEP to employment support • Many services/sectors can contribute • No medical cure for a lifelong condition

  5. Multi-agency working • Essential to avoid duplication and confusion • Team around the child and family- key worker • Autism therapies are numerous and costly • Needs trained, motivated team members • Can be difficult to achieve! Silo mentality...

  6. A national autism strategy group ? • Should involve two key ministries- budget holders? • Academics -University Psychology department • Main NGO's working with disability/autism • Education staff - Hospital paediatrician • Technical support • Parent Association representative

  7. Training is a major issue for health and education staff • Every school needs awareness of identification and referral process • Some centres of excellence needed • Many children will be in mainstream schools-spectrum of provision

  8. Recommended tools and interventions • Not all autism therapies are of value-scientific evaluations often lacking • Need to define "best practice for Mauritius" • TEACCH- visual structure ABA? • PECS- Picture Exchange Communication System • Social Stories and Social Skills training with peer group • Curriculum adaptation to meet individual needs

  9. Questions? • jeanmarc.littleorchard@gmail.com

  10. Possibilities for collaboration • Joint conference MEd and MOH- November 2012 • Future training events on diagnostic process, educational issues, parent support etc. • Creation of the national committee and Plan • Linking schools and special units to schools with experience in UK- teacher exchange visits? • Engagement with Autism Speaks Global Autism Initiative- financial support for epidemiological survey?

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