Early intervention programme for children with autistic disorders

Fondation Dora supported the Medico-Pedagogical Office (OMP) in Geneva in the development of an early intervention pilot project for children aged from 14 months to 4 years with autistic disorders.

The latest findings on autism show how important it is to detect the symptoms early and ensure that the child receives psychological and educational counselling. In fact, research has revealed that children who begin an intensive intervention programme before the age of 30 months show greater progress.

The OMP set up the first early intervention facility in French-speaking Switzerland. This intervention specifically involves providing intensive treatment to children aged from 14 months to four years suffering from ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), as based on the ESDM model (Early Start Denver Model); this approach also entails providing support to parents and special professional training.

This pilot project is now complete and the OMP is continuing its work with the help of the canton of Geneva and other foundations.