Yesterday morning, in the Ciccio Geraci room in the Omceo headquarters Agrigentoa well-attended conference was held on the topic of “Autism spectrum disorder”, chaired by Santo Pitruzzella.
The event highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and raising awareness of this condition.
“We continue to talk about autism awareness,” says Pitruzzella. “It is essential to unite general practitioners and pediatricians to diagnose promptly and create a network between families, doctors and institutions.
Many autistic children become invisible in adulthood, but must be monitored constantly. Nurses can receive referrals from families and doctors, identify needs and facilitate pathways. Treating and assisting patients is always a victory.”
Gioacchino Volpe, director of the child neuropsychiatry unit at the ASP of Agrigento, highlighted the progress made by the institutions: “We have activated three day centres, an early diagnosis clinic and one for adults, reducing waiting lists and responding to health needs.”
Antonio Vetro, medical director of the CTS of Canicattì, underlined the global increase in autism cases in the last ten years. “Autism is a condition to be respected.
Early diagnosis is fundamental: in 70-80% of cases, if the intervention occurs within the first two years, children acquire language. This helps prevent problematic behaviors that can isolate individuals and complicate autism management.
