Does your family have:
A child with autism
Another child 6 months or under
Pregnant or planning a baby?
GEMMA are looking for families who have a child with autism and a baby sibling who is 0-6 months of age to participate in the GEMMA project. This research may lead to earlier diagnosis of autism than is currently possible. GEMMA aim to study the brothers and sisters of children diagnosed with autism to help us understand why some children have autism and others do not.
If you, or a family you know, have a child with autism and would like to participate or would like more information, please send a direct message on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/icanautism.ie/or through the website https://www.icanautism.ie/contact-us and a member of the team will contact you. GEMMA are partners in a consortium of researchers who have been awarded funding by the EU working at the Irish Centre for Autism at NUIG.
There is on average an 18-month waiting list to receive an autism assessment in Ireland. If you choose to participate in our study, GEMMA will monitor your baby’s development and will administer an autism assessment every six months. If your child has autism, you will receive this information as early as possible, which will allow you to access support services. If your child does not have autism, you will also have this information as early as possible.
What is GEMMA*?
GEMMA* is a consortium of international researchers who have been awarded €14.2M of research funding from the EU. GEMMA will conduct ground-breaking research that will for the first time follow children who are at risk of developing autism from 6 months of age. This research may lead to earlier diagnosis than is currently possible and help us understand why some children develop autism and others do not.
* Genome, Environment, Microbiome and Metabolome in Autism
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Children with autism commonly experience gastrointestinal problems such as chronic constipation, persistent diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain and discomfort, nausea, reflux and vomiting. GEMMA will study the relationship between autism and gastrointestinal symptoms. GEMMA aim to decrease these symptoms and increase the quality of life of children and families.
Who can join?
GEMMA will follow 600 infants in Ireland, Italy and the US at risk of developing autism. They are particularly interested in hearing from families if:
· You have a child with autism
· You have another child 6 months or under
· You are pregnant or planning a baby
Get in contact here.
