Autism, a low-cost therapy pilot project in Northern Sardinia

In Italy, one out of every 77 children is affected by ASD, the Autism Spectrum Disorder. In Sardinia the data are in line with the national average, in fact it is estimated that around 4,000 people are affected by autism. The costs to treat a syndrome that almost always accompanies the entire life of the individual are very high, both in economic terms and in terms of discomfort for families: in the US they calculate a figure of around one and a half million euros, in Italy it is about 1,000 euro per month.

“Autism in ReTe - don't leave them alone” is a revolutionary therapy model conceived and promoted by the non-profit organization “Rete per il sociale” directed by Stefano Vicari, head of child neuropsychiatrist of the Bambin Gesù pediatric hospital in Rome and full professor at the Catholic University. The project presented this morning in the Aula Magna of the University of Sassari promises to reduce annual costs while improving the quality of the intervention. It involves the AOU of Sassari and the UONPIA (childhood and adolescent neuropsychiatry) of Sassari and Olbia. All thanks to the support of the Foundation of Sardinia and Enel Cuore, the non-profit organization of the Enel Group committed to supporting third sector associations and operators, to support those living in situations of fragility through a responsible and sustainable approach.

The pilot project of Northern Sardinia is a model for the regions of Southern Italy. Stefano Vicari explains: “For the moment it will involve 25 families, but the requests have already arrived, because the offer is poor and the families are often left alone with devastating effects”.

As explained by Professor Stefano Sotgiu and the medical director Alessandra Carta, main referents of the project for the Child Neuropsychiatry Unit of the AOU of Sassari, the method is essentially based on three strategies: training and active involvement of parents in internal therapies; then teacher training (from kindergarten to high school); and finally sessions of specialists with baby patients. The aim is to quickly identify the early signs and promptly identify a subject affected by ASD, the Autism Spectrum Disorder.