A European research project with participants from 14 countries will now work to increase the understanding of autism. Aarhus University is the Danish partner in the three-year project, which has been awarded EUR 2.1 million in funding.

2015.02.09 | Kirsten Olesen

Aarhus University will be heading the ASDEU activities related to adults with autism.

To boost the understanding of autism spectrum disorders, universities, charities and expert institutions from 14 European countries have joined forces in a major new research project, Autism Spectrum Disorders in Europe (ASDEU).  The purpose of the project is to research autism diagnosis, prevalence and interventions and to improve care and support for people with autism

The three-year project has received EUR 2.1 million in funding from the Directorate-General of Health and Consumers of the European Commission (DG-SANCO).

Danish focus on adults

Aarhus University, the Danish partner in the project, will be heading the ASDEU activities related to adults with autism.

"And we will be focusing attention on the needs of care providers and families of adults with autism spectrum disorders throughout the EU," says Professor Diana Schendel.

In 2013, Aarhus University established a professorship in psychiatric epidemiology with a special focus on autism to build on its long research history and studies of autism prevalence trends, risk factors and long-term outcomes. 

Facts:

ASDEU will:

• study the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in 12 countries in the European Union
• analyse the economic and social costs of autism
• review existing arrangements and develop proposals for early detection programmes
• train professionals
• validate biological markers for autism
• improve the understanding of diagnosis, comorbidity as well as effective care and support for adults and senior citizens with autism.

Further information:

Professor Diana Schendel
Aarhus University, Department of Public Health, Section for Epidemiology
Aarhus University, Department of Economics and Business, NCRR - National Centre for Register-based Research
Tel.: +45 2162 7137
diana.schendel@ph.au.dk

diana.schendel@ph.au.dk