One child in 100 is born with an autism spectrum disorder. Close to 700,000 people in France are autistic.* The biological, genetic and psychiatric mechanisms behind this pathology are still poorly understood. For 20 years, Fondation de France has been supporting research with the aim of increasing understanding of human cognitive and emotional development.

Collaboration in research – the key to innovation

The first signs of autism appear in early childhood: communication and social relationship issues, behavioral problems, unusual sensory reactions, etc. While the symptoms and degree of the disorder vary from one individual to another, autism generally involves learning disabilities and is a serious social handicap. Today, there is no known cure.

In 1999, faced with the fact that France was behind in the treatment of autism, Fondation de France launched a research program on the subject. They were convinced that in order to make progress, it would be necessary to overcome differences between specialists and engage in multidisciplinary research.

20 years later, these collaborations between researchers and clinicians have resulted in notable progress, but autism spectrum disorders remain a vast subject for research.

Fondation de France’s actions focus on three primary approaches:

• studying the mechanisms of both “normal” and pathological neurodevelopment in children to better understand atypical orientations such as autism;
• promoting early diagnosis and prevention;
• encouraging research on how children learn and developing innovative educational and therapeutic strategies.