For over 20 years, the Robert-Debré AP-HP hospital has focused heavily on neurodevelopmental disorders, with 50% of its activity tied to this field. The InovAND center of excellence, led by Prof. Richard Delorme, and the Neuro-Diderot research unit, headed by Pierre Gressens, are key pillars in this effort. Prof. Delorme and Prof. Thomas Bourgeron (known for identifying the first autism gene in 2003) have collaborated on autism genetics.

A turning point came during the 1000 Days Commission, when Prof. Delorme and Dr. Ghislaine Dehaene proposed expanding the project into education. This led to the creation of the Institut Robert-Debré du Cerveau de l’Enfant, uniting cognitive science, biology, education, and healthcare to support children comprehensively at school, home, and in the hospital.