The Netherlands Autism Register (NAR) has been conducting research on autism for more than 10 years, and now has about 6,800 participants. Every year, about 2,000 participants participate in our questionnaires.
Autism research at the NAR
In recent years, we have learned a lot about autism. We now understand that autism is largely determined by hereditary factors. We also know what happens in the brain when a person with autism is exposed to stimuli, and that these processes can change over time. In addition, we know that there are wide variations in how autistic people can lead independent, meaningful and happy lives.
The Dutch Autism Registry (NAR) maps these differences and similarities among autistic people. We collect basic information on issues such as personal and family characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and counseling, education, independence, and in what ways autistic people participate in society.
Purpose of the research
Using the data and figures collected, we can investigate, for example, what makes people with autism unique. What is needed for autistic people's talents to reach their full potential? What other issues, such as treatment and parenting situation, affect this? But also: what differences emerge between men and women with autism? What characteristics do autistic people with a migration background have? How satisfied are people with autism with the diagnostic process, treatments, medication use, education, social contacts, work, living and leisure time?
Collaboration
The NAR works closely with colleagues from various universities:
- Prof. Dr. Lydia Krabbendam - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- Prof. Dr. Patricia Howlin - King's College London
- Prof. Dr. Meike Bartels - Free University Amsterdam
- Dr. Sandra Brouwer - University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
- Dr. Jeanet Landsman-Dijkstra - University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
- Prof. Dr. Hilde Geurts - University of Amsterdam (UvA)
- Dr. Marie Deserno - University of Amsterdam (UvA)
- Prof. Dr. Denny Borsboom - University of Amsterdam (UvA)
- Dr. Rosa Hoekstra - King's College London (KCL)
- Dr. Rachel Grove - The University of New South Wales Australia (UNSW)
- Prof. Chongying Wang - Nankai University (NU)
Information and participation
More information about the data we collect can be found at 'working with NAR data'.
If you would like to participate yourself, please look here.
