Autism Registry Project to Identify Gaps in Services

Posted on: 09 June 2016

Trinity College Dublin is involved with Ireland’s first ever Autism Registry, which was launched at an event in Kildare recently by Minister for Children Katherine Zappone.

The registry will help identify the exact service needs for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by gathering vital information on a child’s diagnosis, development, medical and educational history.

Trinity, NUI Galway and Autism Speaks are leading the initiative in response to a call for a facility from affected families. The pilot phase begins straight away in the Kildare/West Wicklow region, with hopes to extend it nationally later in the year.

The data gathered will not only map out gaps in occupational health, speech and language and educational services but will also offer an important insight into the day-to-day realities for families living with autism.

The registry will also inform future academic research into the causes of autism and improved interventions.

Trinity’s lead on the project, Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Louise Gallagher (pictured above, left), commented: “I work with parents every day and know the immense challenges they face when it comes to accessing the services they need for their child. The information gathered will allow us to identify the services that are lacking and to pinpoint exactly where they are needed. This will be the first step in helping children reach their full potential and in turn improve their quality of life.”  

An estimated one in 88 people worldwide has ASD which makes it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and paediatric AIDs combined.

• Parents and guardians across Kildare/West Wicklow are encouraged to support the project by registering their child. To sign up, please email Sarah-Marie Feighan on feighans@tcd.ie or call 01 896 2315. For more information visit www.iarb.ie 

Photo credit: Sasko Lazarov (Photocall Ireland)