A big step towards educational inclusion with the inauguration of the first Gard self-regulation system at the Jean Rostand college in Nîmes

This Thursday, October 10, the Jean Rostand college in Nîmes inaugurated an innovative and inclusive system: the Self-Regulation System (DAR). This significant event took place in the presence of many local personalities, all united around the ambition of making the school more inclusive for students with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD).

Between 5 and 10 students fully integrated into the class

At the Jean Rostand college, this Thursday morning, Vincent Bouget, representative of the Departmental Council and Françoise Laurent-Perrigot, underlined the importance of this initiative, which facilitates education for all. He praised the involvement of the educational team, affirming that this project “puts meaning and reality into what inclusion means”while recognizing that its implementation sometimes remains complex. “It was natural for us on the council to support this project which is at the crossroads of our skills. This system is a first in the department”he added, emphasizing the beneficial commitment of the entire educational community.

“Each current self-regulated school welcomes between 5 and 10 students who are an integral part of the class”explained Guillaume Dubois, departmental director of the Regional Health Agency (ARS). Inspired by a Canadian model, the DAR aims to reduce the behavioral problems of autistic students by helping them better manage their emotions and social interactions. The system allows these students to benefit from specialized support and a multi-professional team – made up of a psychologist, a teacher and two educators – while integrating traditional teaching, thanks to workshops aimed at promoting their autonomy.

“Alone, we cannot get out of this”

The inauguration was also marked by awareness workshops aimed at increasing understanding of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. An educational kit, “Understanding Autism”, from the Center for Concrete Communication of Belgium, was used to provide participants with immersive experiences. Gwenola Viard, specialist educator at the DAR, explained that these visual workshops, in writing or in the form of puzzles, allow you to put yourself in the shoes of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Ampari Monginoux, president of the Sesame Autisme Occitanie Est (SAOE) association, recalled the journey of the association which, for 40 years, has been working in favor of autistic people. “We decided to be the builders of our children”she declared, proud of the progress made by SAOE, which today supports 500 people across around twenty establishments. “Alone, we can’t get out of this”said Christophe Mauny, Academic Director of National Education Services (Dasen) of Gard. He highlighted the progress made in terms of understanding and detecting the profiles of children with special needs, while recognizing that “the road is still long but full of hope”.