The Post-Diagnostic Support Service was created in 2004 to meet the need for vertical follow-up (= throughout life) expressed by families, by offering support, guidance, and information throughout the child’s life in order to ensure continuity in the development of their educational project.
Today, this service consists of a multidisciplinary team specialized in autism and is divided into different sections aimed at anyone experiencing symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The service can also respond to questions from families or professionals.
The service has several missions:
Information and awareness missions
Anyone concerned by autism can turn to our service to find information about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), the different services available in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and intervention and care methods recommended by the international scientific community regarding ASD.
Awareness-raising among the general public is carried out through a series of conferences, each presented by a professional specialized in the field of autism. Similarly, individualized information and awareness sessions can be organized to inform an employer, childcare staff, or even school students.
Support missions
An autistic person does not always clearly perceive what seems obvious to neurotypical people (implicit rules of social relationships, communication, etc.). However, they are capable of learning and progressing like anyone else.
The Post-Diagnostic Support Service offers autistic people, their families, and professionals diverse, individualized, and autism-specific support. The type and duration of intervention are tailored according to the request, needs, and skills of each individual, bearing in mind that therapeutic and intensive care is not possible.
Interventions may take place at the FAL premises or, if needed, in the person’s living environment (home, childcare center, school, sheltered workshop, day center, etc.).
All aspects of daily life may be addressed during support, whether directly with the autistic person or by advising/sensitizing their family or surrounding professionals. The approach is, of course, adapted according to the age and skill level of the target group.
Different types of support are possible:
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Individualized ad hoc support for the person with ASD and/or their family circle. The content of the sessions is defined according to the needs of each person. Examples (non-exhaustive):
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For everyone: understanding/accepting the ASD diagnosis; answering everyday questions related to ASD; help explaining one’s diagnosis to others (family, siblings, colleagues, classmates, etc.); developing social, communication, and emotional skills; sensory issues; leisure; employment; sleep; medication; etc.
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For parents/external professionals: support in implementing educational strategies; help in setting up visual and spatial structuring of the environment (TEACCH); assistance in analyzing, understanding, and managing behavioral problems; etc.
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For adults: support with administrative procedures; understanding and managing anxiety/stress; developing social skills; improving communication strategies (within the family, at work, in society, etc.); etc.
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Social skills training groups for adolescents / adults / women (in Luxembourgish and French)
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Thematic workshops/meetings for parents
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Support with administrative procedures with the help of a social worker
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EarlyBird and EarlyBird Plus training for parents
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…
Evaluation and skills assessment missions
To develop, adapt, and individualize the educational projects of autistic individuals, we offer skills assessments using tools adapted to the functioning of people with ASD. This allows us to best target the objectives to be achieved and to tailor support to the real needs of the autistic child or adult, whether in a family, school, extracurricular, or professional setting.
Assessments are carried out in the following areas:
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Functional and psycho-educational evaluation (psycho-educational profile PEP-3 and TTAP)
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Evaluation of social interaction and communication
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Evaluation of receptive communication skills
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Evaluation of psychomotor skills
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Evaluation of adaptive skills
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Evaluation of intellectual abilities
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Establishment of a sensory profile
Coordination missions
To ensure consistency and maintain links between the various types of support already available in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Post-Diagnostic Support Service proposes sharing information, notably through coordination meetings between different services or professionals.
FAL also works with professionals to help them understand how a person with ASD functions (differences, strengths, needs, etc.). These professionals can then adapt their behavior and communication to the needs of the autistic person, thereby promoting inclusion (society changes to better welcome all forms of disability).
These different support opportunities are available to anyone residing in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder confirmed by a doctor and recognized by FAL, regardless of their age or level of functioning. If you are a cross-border worker (contributing to the Luxembourg system), please contact us to learn about specific access conditions for this service.
All services are offered in French, Luxembourgish, German, and English (with the exception of group meetings, where the language depends on the group composition).
For more information about the Post-Diagnostic Support Service, please contact our secretariat
(tel: +352 26 91 11 – 1, Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:00)
or send an email to: soutien@fal.lu.