<p><strong>The woman</strong><br />Following the diagnosis of her son Shayan as autistic, this young woman understands only too well the extent of challenges faced by children and parents alike.<br />Shayan was born in Paris but brought up in New York where he was able to benefit from high-performance educational methods specifically designed to support autistic children.<br />On returning to Paris three years ago, Shayan's parents immediately set about finding an establishment offering the same methods to ensure their son continued the progress already started in the USA.<br />When Vanessa tried to find out whether similar state structures existed in France, the answer fell like a hammer – nothing. The only available options provided were homecare or enrolment at a hospital day centre. Unacceptable for this young woman who decided to create her own establishment.</p><p><strong>Her fight:</strong><br />In June 2007, the ABC Autisme association was created and fixed its objective as the promotion of education and development for autistic children.<br />The following September, ABC Autisme opened Paris Ideal School. The school welcomed two children who followed an intense, early-learning educational program. Today, twelve children attend the school.<br />The school is run by Diane Fraser, one of the few people in France to use the ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) method that has existed for over 60 years in the USA.</p>