Work Package 1. Prevalence and related social and economic costs.

Aims: Estimation of the prevalence for ASD as a whole as well as by diagnostic subtype in the European Union and estimation of related social and economic burden;

Task 1.1. European Prevalence of ASD in 12 pilot areas.

Task 1.2. Burden of ASD Lead: Martin Knapp and Pedro Serrano, LSE & BioAvance

This task includes as different but related subtasks, the estimation of both the Health Burden (1.2.1) and the Economic Burden (1.2.2)

Task 1.2.1. Health burden of ASD

Objective: To estimate the Health burden of ASD in 12 European countries.

Task 1.2.2. Economic burden of ASD.

Objective 1: Estimating the economic impact of ASD on society in different EU countries

Task 1.3. Economic impact of a screening program for ASD

Objective 2: Estimating the economic impact of implementing a screening program for ASD in different EU countries.Instituto de Salud Carlos III

Work Package 2. Early detection, diagnosis and evidence-based intervention

Objectives

1. To review best practices in early detection and intervention in the Member States of the EU taking into account gender differences.
2. To identify the parameters and biomarkers for diagnosis and early detection of
3. Develop training modules for early detection and appropriate intervention for medical staff and education in order to close the gaps identified.

Identification of parameters and biomarkers for diagnosis and early identification of ASDs.
Lead: Herbert Roeyers, Gent University

1. Collection of information on ASD risk factors, nonsocial behavioral parameters and biomarkers that may serve as more reliable and accurate indicators of ASD in the very early years. Special attention will be paid to gender differences.
2. Collection of information on the feasibility and willingness to use nonsocial behavioral parameters, risk factors and biomarkers in conjunction with early social-communicative behavioral signs.
3. Development of a strategy for the future validation of feasible and relevant nonsocial behavioral parameters, risk factors and biomarkers as predictors of a diagnosis of ASD.

Work Package 3. Adults Treatment and Care

WP leader: Diana Schendel, AU

Objectives

General Objective: To create a comprehensive framework to improve adult autistic treatment and care by adopting an adult lifespan perspective.

Specific Objectives: Using the adult lifespan perspective we will address the following 5 integrated specific Objectives comprised of 3 pre-specified objectives (first 3 below) plus 2 additional, complementary ones (last 2 below):

1. Identify best practices suitable for the development of adequate multidisciplinary approaches (e.g. pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, social services, housing, voluntary services) to address the needs of people affected by ASDs in adulthood.
2. Identify best practices for the management of co-morbidity associated with ASDs in order to avoid hospital admissions.
3. Identify actions improving access to diagnosis and post-diagnostic support when ASD is detected in adulthood.
4. Identify best practices around the management of transitions during adult life, with a special focus on the pediatric to adult care transition and transition due to the loss of primary care giver (e.g., due to care giver death or incapacity to continue to provide care, or other circumstances leading to primary care giver loss.)
5. Identify best practices for care for the autistic elder, with a focus on care practices of unique or special relevance for this age group.

Work Package 4. ASD policies in the EU

Objectives:

1. To assess health education and existing social policies in Member States to support people with Autism Spectrum Disorders at all ages, communities and affected families.
2. To develop a public health plan addressing ASD.

Work Package 5. Impact & Dissemination

Objectives

1. To increase the visibility of the project and the project results.
2. To maximize all the outputs and outcomes of all WPs
3. To guarantee the circulation and dissemination of the project outcomes among partners, relevant institutions, organizations and stakeholders.

Work Package 6. Evaluation

Objective

The monitoring and evaluation strategy will assure that the project is being developed according to the agreed timetable and the project deliverables are reliable, properly disseminated and fulfill the expectations of their final users.BAPES

Work Package 7. Co-ordination of activities with the FP7 EU-AIMS consortium

WP leader: Tony Charman, King’s College London (KCL)

Objective

To create synergy between the basic and applied science ASD fields in Europe.

Work Package 8. Coordination & management

Objectives

1. Ensure that the work and tasks are completed on time, within budget and according to high quality standards
2. Ensure that reporting is done on a periodic basis, in the most efficient and pragmatic way, according to the European Commission
3. Guidelines to provide all consortium members with all important and high-impact information that may influence the outcome of the project
4. Ensure appropriate links and coordination within and among work packages and other related ASD actions and projects
5. Promote participation of women towards gender equality in ASD research