HARRISSON B, ST-CHARLES L. Hypothèse du fonctionnement interne de la structure de pensée autistique. Montfort-sur-Meu: Psychologie et Éducation. 2012 June;(2): 69-84.
An overview of the hypothesis of the Internal Structure of Autistic Thought, a hypothesis about autism that is neither psychoanalytic, behavioral, nor neuroscientific, but developmental.
HARRISSON B, ST-CHARLES L. La structure de pensée autistique et la scolarisation. La nouvelle revue de l’adaptation et de la scolarisation. 2012;4(60): 59-73.
This article (published in French, its title may be translated as “The Autistic Thought Structure and Education”), co-written by a Canadian autism specialist and a social worker with ASD, proves that autistic individuals are entitled to pursuing a path in higher education, but that to do so successfully, they must have a precise understanding of both the autistic condition and of the specific needs of individuals with autism.
POIRIER N, DES RIVIÈRES-PIGEON C. et al. Le trouble du spectre de l’autisme : État des connaissances. Quebec City: Presses de l’Université du Québec; 2013. P 111.
The SACCADETM model, developed by Brigitte Harrisson and Lise St-Charles, is gaining traction throughout the province of Quebec. The SACCADETM model aims for continuous monitoring based on the basic needs of the individual in question while respecting the structure of thought of individuals with ASD, integrated together within a systemic model.
MERCIER, C. L’efficacité des interventions de réadaptation et des traitements pharmacologiques pour les enfants de 2 à 12 ans ayant un trouble du spectre de l’autisme. Montreal: L’Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux; 2013. P 18.
The SACCADETM model is listed as an autism resource in this 2013 national document.
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BEAUPRÉ P, BOUCHARD G. Faciliter la transition du primaire au secondaire des élèves ayant un TSA par le transfert des connaissances. L’express. 2014;7: 28.
The development of strategies related to various innovative approaches with students with ASD has made it possible to deepen professionals’ knowledge to adapt and clarify the interventions used during different types of training. We have found that certain types of training are particularly suitable for apprenticeships (…) while other training methods related to the functioning of ASD (internal functioning, emotions, self-esteem, anxiety, the SACCADE Conceptual LanguageTM (SCLTM), and perceptual channels [1]. Action research on innovative approaches with students with ASD has not only allowed for experimentation with various intervention approaches but has also been beneficial to the transfer of knowledge, which in turn helps to facilitate students’ transition from primary to secondary school.
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- HARRISSION B, ST-CHARLES L. Hypothèse du Fonctionnement interne de la structure de pensée autistique. Psychologie et éducation. 2012;2:69-84
ARSENEAULT N, GINGRAS M. Pistes d’intervention en information et en orientation pour une clientèle ayant un trouble du spectre de l’autisme. Launay: L’informateur. 2014 Dec;6(2): 11-19.
A presentation of the SACCADETM model to identify its potential contributions to the career counseling field with regards to ASD clients. The authors conclude: “We consider that individuals with ASD can positively integrate both socially and professionally into the workforce, but that to do so, appropriate support is necessary. It is, therefore, essential that career counselors are made aware of our methods, as applying specific aspects of the SACCADETM model can help better prepare and equip these specialists to intervene with and support their ASD clientele.”
CORNIOU M, FORGET D. Autisme, un monde en soi—Brigitte Harrisson: Le combat quotidien, ce sont les orages dans le cerveau. Québec Sciences. 2015 April-May; 19-21.
The journal focuses much of this issue on the condition of autism. The magazine includes an interview with the co-founder of SACCADETM, Brigitte Harrisson, who explains the hypothesis of the Internal Structure of Autistic Thought, the origin of the SACCADETM model. An accessible read for both professionals and family members alike.
https://www.quebecscience.qc.ca/societe/brigitte-harrisson-le-combat-quotidien-ce-sont-les-orages-dans-le-cerveau/
ST-CHARLES BERNIER C, TREMBLAY I, ST-CHARLES L, HARRISSON B. L’autisme vu comme trouble neurodéveloppemental de la conscience selon l’hypothèse du Fonctionnement interne de la structure de pensée autistique (FISPA). Neuropsychiatrie de l’enfance et de l’adolescence. 2022;2:1-6.
The Internal Structure of Autistic Thought hypothesis (referred to throughout this article as the FISPA hypothesis, FISPA being the French acronym for, Fonctionnement interne de la structure de pensée autistique, proposes a unifying theoretical interpretation of the condition of autism resulting from the early alteration of the neurological development of consciousness. The condition of autism, therefore, could be associated with a persistent deficit in the ability to process information in a conscious and integrated way. The FISPA hypothesis was developed from the experiential expertise of an autistic person, Brigitte Harrisson, as well as from clinical observations made with autistic people. In this article, the hypothesis will be described and supported by research in neuroscience and cognitive science. This article discusses the impact of functional connectivity atypias in people with autism on the development of functional and integrative neural systems, namely the global neuronal workspace and the default mode network. These irregularities may affect, from birth, a person’s ability to process information about themselves and their environment in a conscious and integrated manner. The FISPA hypothesis holds that developmental cascade would ensue, which would have repercussions on perception as well as on the conceptualization of both the body and emotions. This article argues that in order to compensate for this disorder of the development of consciousness and in order to have access to themselves in real time, an individual with autism may be required to deploy continuous cognitive efforts and therefore may occasionally present certain repetitive movements. The variability of these apparent autistic manifestations, such as stereotypical movements, could be related to the level of development of consciousness of each autistic person. The hypothesis presented in this article therefore allows an understanding of the typical evolution of autistic manifestations.
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