“Autism in adults” will be the theme of the next Science Bar

[Press release] - Published on March 7, 2025 in Press Room, Science-Society

On Thursday, March 13, starting at 8:30 p.m., the next Science Bar organized by the University of Montpellier will take place. For this edition, Pauline Belval, a neuropsychologist who graduated from the University of Montpellier, Corentin Dugat, president of the Mauvais Cancres Federation and the local Mauvais Cancres 34 Association, Coline Hagnier, a neuropsychologist for children and adolescents, and Karine Loulier (Inserm), a neuroscience researcher at INM, will discuss autism in adults.

The Science Bar has become one of Montpellier's flagship scientific culture events, offering a monthly participatory and citizen-led debate on all aspects of science from January to June. Throughout the season, scientists are invited to engage in a dialogue where their knowledge and practices are shared, but also open to discussion. The season is co-produced by the scientific culture departments of the UM and its partners: INRAE, INSERM, and IRD. This evening event will be translated into sign language.

A Science Bar dedicated to autism in adults

In recent years in France, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been increasingly studied, understood, and recognized. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD), similar to attention deficit disorders, dys disorders, and intellectual development disorders, which together affect 1 in 6 French people. Today, between 1 and 2% of the population could be placed on the autism spectrum, but this spectrum is not linear, and many variables characterize ASD. Scientific attention to these disorders allows for more screening, increased awareness, and greater inclusion of all individuals in our societies. But this movement is accompanied by media coverage that sometimes leads to "beliefs" and approximations. The Science Bar invites you to discuss advances in knowledge about autism, particularly when it comes to late diagnoses in adults.

To discuss this topic, four multidisciplinary experts will answer questions from the audience:

• Pauline BELVAL, a neuropsychologist who graduated from the University of Montpellier, works for an association that helps autistic adults without intellectual disabilities find and keep jobs.
• Corentin DUGAT is president of the Mauvais Cancres Federation and the local Mauvais Cancres 34 Association, which supports people affected by neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly in accessing their rights.
• Coline HAGNIER, neuropsychologist for children and adolescents. She specializes in neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD. She also works with adults in the diagnostic assessment of individuals suspected of having ASD.
• Karine LOULIER (Inserm), a neuroscience researcher at INM, studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for brain development with a view to finding new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to improve the quality of life of people with ASD.