In the Jura, ARA 39 (autism relay association), which supports autistic people and their families, has inaugurated its new project: a “sensory caravan”, an awareness-raising tool and a place intended for care and calm.
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“Autism is a disability, not an illness”. “Together, let’s create tailor-made support and change the way we look at autism”. The Association Relai Autisme, ARA 39, upholds its values. Based in Lons-le-Saunier in the Jura, it brings together autistic people, professionals, volunteers and caregivers, with the aim of supporting its members and raising awareness of autism. For a few days now, its latest project has been touring the roads of the department: a sensory caravan.
“We are in a rural department, autistic people have difficulty getting around, so we created a caravan to go as close as possible to families” explains Sylvette Guyetant, co-president of ARA 39, simply, to Norbert Evangelista. Sensory stimulation and rest room for autistic people, support appointments, awareness-raising… Thanks to this caravan, the association teleports its activities throughout the territory.
That day, the caravan is set up in La Chaux-du-Dombief. Sylvette Guyetant and Nathalie Bique-Hoarau have an appointment with Guillaume and his family. The autistic teenager rarely expresses himself with words.
“Since he no longer goes to the IME, he is isolated”reports Nathalie Bique-Hoarau, co-president of the association. Autistic herself, she says “mediator” of his neuroatypical classmates. “Guillaume, I understand his tastes, I understand his way of communicating and his rhythm” she explains.
Usually, once a week, Guillaume’s mother takes him to the premises of ARA 39, “participate in activities”. “It gives him a moment to himself” smiled his father, Roland. “With us, he does activities, but it remains within the family,” explains Christine, his mother, “to the association, it brings things that we won’t know how to do.” “The link is there” summarizes, moved, Christelle.
The caravan came to his house first and foremost so that he could get used to the space. “An autistic person needs to anticipate, to foresee and to know” explicit Nathalie Bique-Hoarau, “He will find his bearings and gradually it will get better”. Later, if a virus in the family or a setback prevents him from going to his weekly appointment, the caravan will be able to join him.
“It’s true that the holiday break was hard.” Christine says. The ARA 39 offers moments of respite to caregivers. “We know that we are no longer alone, that’s important” says Guillaume’s mother, “and the association made us understand a lot of things about autism.”
With my experience, I can explain to people what we autistic people understand about the world, and also to autistic people what neurotypical people understand about the world.
Nathalie Bique-Hoarau, co-president of ARA 39
“A person who is autistic lives on a planet that is not theirs at the base.” professes Nathalie Bique-Hoarau. “It’s like being in a foreign country all the time, there’s always a gap with what’s happening around us.”.
In addition to its trips to meet autistic people and their families, the sensory caravan is also intended to participate in public awareness events.
In addition to activity days for autistic people, ARA 39 offers a “parents’ café” every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
