CAP48 - Autism in Children and Adolescents

CAP48 Medical Research Project: Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Evaluation and follow-up of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in French-speaking Belgium in order to optimize diagnostic protocols, the quality of care required and its accessibility, and to determine the impact of an autism spectrum disorder on schooling, family and society.

The aims of the research project:

• To collect a wide range of data in order to improve knowledge of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in French-speaking Belgium by prospectively including all children and adolescents making a request to the centres of reference. The creation of a common database will make it possible to collect general socio-demographic, geographical and epidemiological data, to characterise the different profiles and to accurately monitor developmental trajectories.
• Evaluate the feasibility and practical implementation of the treatment proposed following a diagnosis of ASD in a child.
• Implement protocols to improve the quality of care for beneficiaries.
• To enable the development of fundamental research protocols. Many questions remain unanswered about the genetic, neuro-cognitive and linguistic characteristics of autism. Only rigorous studies carried out on large, carefully defined samples can advance research.
• Increase public knowledge and understanding of the ASD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• children/adolescents (under 18 years of age) who apply to an autism reference center or who are followed up in an autism reference center from French-speaking region of Belgium.

Exclusion Criteria:

• refusal by the family to allow their child's data to be included in the database.