The Regional Secretary for Health defended in Angra do Heroísmo the provision of clinical and educational support for young people with mental disorders, based on a multi-sectoral intervention strategy.
 
Rui Luís spoke at the session marking the International Asperger's Syndrome Day, stressing that "the Regional Government aims to provide Island Health Units (USI) with professionals to accompany young people, namely speech therapists."
 
The Secretary for Health highlighted the support already provided in development, child psychiatry, of paediatric neurology, speech therapy and occupational therapy consultations, available at Azorean hospitals.
 
In his speech, Rui Luís also stressed the role of health surveillance and early intervention teams of the Regional Programme for Early Intervention.
 
These teams mainly work with children up to six years with developmental disabilities, including children diagnosed with autism or similar conditions.
 
For Rui Luís, this monitoring actions "allow children with disabilities to maximise their self-esteem and enhance their skills in terms of full social integration."
 
"Maintaining and promoting the health of all children is a must for professionals and health services in the Region," said the government official.
 
Following this strategy, Rui Luís stressed the ongoing policy developed under the Regional Health Plan and the training of professionals within the "Skills Assessment in Child Development" and "Relationship and Communication Disorders."
 
An initiative of the Regional Secretariat for Health, this session included a lecture on Asperger’s Syndrome that was delivered by the Technical Director of the Portuguese Asperger's Syndrome Association.
 
The date of February 18 was established as the International Asperger's Syndrome Day in 2007, evoking the birth of Hans Asperger, the Austrian paediatrician who named the syndrome and described it as "autistic psychopathy."