The president of SOS Autisme France criticizes the lack of involvement of the government on the subject

Gauthier Delomez 14:54 pm, April 02, 2023

"I accuse the government of mistreatment of autistic people", these strong words are signed Olivia Cattan, president of SOS Autisme France. Invited to the microphone of Europe 1 Midi week-end this Sunday, the journalist and associative activist returned to a forum published today, on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day. And shares his disappointment with the president's action on this issue. "I was hoping a lot with Emmanuel Macron, and we are extremely disappointed once again, as in every election," she thunders at the microphone of Lénaïg Monier.

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On Europe 1, Olivia Cattan reiterates her accusation of mistreatment of the government "because nothing has been done. It leaves us alone, as parents, totally destitute, and it will make another generation of children who will be sacrificed, and it tears our hearts." The author of the Black Book of Autism in 2020 explains that the main problem lies in the entry of these populations into the labor market. "It's worse than anything, there is absolutely nothing (in fact)," she criticizes, before tackling the head of state: "The President of the Republic spends his time at the Café joyeux as if it were the only place (of inclusion), which is very good. But it's not the only place of employment for our children."

The example of Italian-style inclusion

Through this forum, the president of SOS Autisme France alerts on the difficulties encountered not only by parents, many of whom crack daily, but also by autistic children who can be abused at school or assaulted throughout the country. "There is a real problem of sensitivity, there is still a lot of prejudice against autism," she said.

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However, for Olivia Cattan, also a mother of an autistic child, beyond being a social problem, "it is a real political problem, fundamental. We were promised real measures to change things, and many things could be done to lighten our daily lives and allow us to offer a future to our children, in terms of education, care, employment, housing, "says the associative activist, relying on the example of Italian inclusion, where "all children with disabilities are all in school".