"Autism in adults" will be the theme of the next Science Bar

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

On Thursday March 13, starting at 8:30 pm, the next Bar des sciences will be held, organized by the University of Montpellier. For this edition, Pauline Belval, a neuropsychologist with a degree from the University of Montpellier, Corentin Dugat, president of the Fédération Mauvais Cancres and the local Association Mauvais Cancres 34, Coline Hagnier, a neuropsychologist for children and adolescents, and Karine Loulier (Inserm), a neuroscience researcher at the INM, will discuss autism in adults.

The Bar des Sciences has become one of Montpellier's flagship events for scientific culture, offering once a month, from January to June, a participatory citizen debate on all aspects of science. Throughout the season, scientists are invited to engage in a dialogue in which their knowledge and practices are not only shared, but also discussed. The season is co-produced by the UM's scientific culture services and its partners: Inrae, Inserm and IRD. This evening will be translated into sign language.

A Science Bar dedicated to adult autism

Over the past few years in France, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has become increasingly studied, known and recognized. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD), like attention deficit disorder, dyslexia and intellectual development disorder, 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. The scientific attention being paid to these disorders is leading to increased screening and awareness, and generating greater inclusion of all individuals in our societies. But this movement is accompanied by media coverage that sometimes leads to "beliefs" and approximations. Le Bar des sciences therefore invites you to discuss advances in knowledge about autism, particularly when it comes to late diagnosis in adults.

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

• Pauline BELVAL, a neuropsychologist with a degree from the University of Montpellier, works in an association for the professional integration and job retention of autistic adults without intellectual disabilities.
• Corentin DUGAT, is President of the Fédération Mauvais Cancres and of the local Association Mauvais Cancres 34, which helps people with neurodevelopmental disorders to access their rights.
• Coline HAGNIER, neuropsychologist for children and adolescents. She specializes in neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD. She also works with adults in the diagnostic evaluation of people with suspected ASD.
• Karine LOULIER (Inserm), a neuroscience researcher at the INM, studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for brain development, with a view to finding new diagnostic and therapeutic avenues to improve the quality of life of people with ASD.