Funder: European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101058677

Project leader: Dr. Smilja Praćer, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia

Period: 2025-2026.

Team members from IBISS:
Dr. Milena Jović, Department of Neurobiology IBISS
Milica Prvulović, Department of Neurobiology IBISS
Valentina Simeunović, Department of Neurobiology IBISS

External advisors:
Prof. Dr. Milica Pejović Milovančević, Institute for Mental Health (IMH)
Speech therapist, Nataša Srećković Milenković, Institute for Mental Health (IMH)
Dr. Milica Vlaisavljević, Institute for Mental Health (IMH)
Lidija Despić Stojaković, Vice President of the Union of Associations of Serbia for Helping Persons with Autism – Autism Serbia

Abstract

PaSTINCA is a citizen science initiative that provides parents and clinicians with evidence-based knowledge about nutrition and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Through lectures, workshops and collaborative research, the project addresses nutrition-related challenges in ASD care, collaboratively develops potential nutrition strategies and explores ways to engage policy makers for systemic change. Parents will actively contribute by tracking their children’s diet and identifying key issues through structured food diaries. The project encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, clinicians and non governmental organizations to ensure practical results and long-term impact. The final report “Key Insights for the ASD Nutrition Landscape” will serve as a foundation for future initiatives, potentially expanding into digital tools for personalized nutrition recommendations.