The Autism Treatment Network: Bringing Best Practices to All Children With Autism

Abstract

The Autism Treatment Network and Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health were established in 2008 with goals of improving understanding of the medical aspects of autism spectrum disorders. Over the past decade, the combined network has conducted .2 dozen clinical studies, established clinical pathways for best practice, developed tool kits for professionals and families to support better care, and disseminated these works through numerous presentations at scientific meetings and publications in medical journals. As the joint network enters its second decade continuing this work, it is undergoing a transformation to increase these activities and accelerate their incorporation into clinical care at the primary care and specialty care levels. In this article, we describe the past accomplishments and present activities. We also outline planned undertakings such as the establishment of the Autism Learning Health Network, the increasing role of family members as co-producers of the work of the network, the growth of clinical trials activities with funding from foundations and industry, and expansion of work with primary care practices and autism specialty centers. We also discuss the challenges of supporting network activities and potential solutions to sustain the network.

Sleep Problems in Children with ASD and Gene Disrupting Mutations

“…This study has implications for families of autistic youth with both idiopathic and identified genetic origins. For instance, our findings suggest that sleep onset should be a focus area for generating recommendations and resources for parents of a child with ASD, aligned with current efforts from private foundations and family groups (e.g., Autism Speaks Sleep Toolkit; Coury et al, 2020) and opportunities for clinical intervention . However, there are several critical limitations to consider.…”

The National Autism Database of Israel: a Resource for Studying Autism Risk Factors, Biomarkers, Outcome Measures, and Treatment Efficacy

“…Additional questionnaires, necessary for addressing key scientific questions, will be added in the near future. These include measures of parental characteristics such as the Parenting Stress Index (Abidin et al 2013) and Beck Depression Inventory (Jackson-Koku 2016), measures of children's ADHD symptoms such as the Conner's rating scale (Keith Conners et al 1998), measures of children's anxiety symptoms such as the SCARED questionnaire (Birmaher et al 1999), and ASD screening measures such as the Social Responsiveness Scale (Constantino 2012), and the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Robins et al 2001).…”

Family Engagement in the Autism Treatment and Learning Health Networks

“…1 Autism can typically be reliably diagnosed by age 2, but associated developmental delays can appear even earlier. 2 The Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN) and Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P) have more than a decade of work in the care, treatment, and research of ASDs (see Coury et al 3 in this issue). Families, caregivers, and self-advocates have a strong and equal voice in all aspects of ATN and AIR-P work to ensure that network-related activities and goals are aligned with those in the autism community.…”