The first Europe-wide research initiative to ascertain how prevalent autism is in the EU was unveiled today.
The European Autism Information System Project (EAIS) initiative was announced in Dublin this morning by MEP Kathy Sinnott ,who is a member of the European Parliamentary committee on Public Health and a vice president of the Parliamentary Intergroup on Disability.
Ms Sinnott described the project as "a giant step forward in the search to find out, once and for all, just how prevalent autism disorders are in Irish and neighbouring EU communities."
Autistic Spectrum Disorder is a condition that affects a person's ability to communicate, form relationships and learn.
The symptoms of the condition are usually first displayed in early childhood. Early detection is vital as sufferers can benefit from appropriate education, therapy and medical/nutritional treatment.