Autism Speaks, Community, Autism Response Team

Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health: Targeting Medical Conditions in Children and Young People with Autism

Many individuals with autism suffer from other medical conditions and physical health issues that have a profound effect on the child and family's care experience and overall quality of life. Many families feel these medical conditions may contribute to behavioral difficulties and other physical problems that their children experience. Often these conditions may go undetected due to lack of physician awareness or the individual's inability to fully communicate his or her symptoms.

It is the aim of the Autism Treatment Network (ATN) to improve the medical care for children and adolescents with autism through the development of guidelines for the assessment and treatment of autism and associated disorders.

Introduction to AIR-P

Focus of AIR-P

AIR-P Researchers

Guidelines

Who's Who in the AIR-P

Contact an ATN site

Recently these efforts received a substantial boost through the ATN's designation as the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P).

Introducing the AIR-P

To learn more about the Combating Autism Act and the initiatives that its funding support, follow these links:

http://www.autismvotes.org/
site/c.frKNI3PCImE/b.4342203

http://mchb.hrsa.gov/autism

In September of 2008 the ATN received a grant of $12 million over three years to serve as the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P). The network grant was part of four initiatives developed by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the Combating Autism Act.

Under the grant the ATN, as an AIR-P Network, will develop and conduct research projects aimed at having a direct and positive impact on the physical health and well being of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. This grant provides significant financial support to supplement efforts the ATN had already begun in developing evidence-based guidelines and tools for the diagnosis and treatment of autism and associated conditions including sleep, gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances and neurological disorders.

This webpage is intended to keep you informed about this important research
initiative and ongoing developments. So, please... check back with us now and then.

Last update: 07/2009

Focus of the AIR-P

The AIR-P is interested in making doctors and other clinicians more knowledgeable about autism and keeping families informed about our activities and, where appropriate, enabling family participation in research. We are focused on:

advancement of the current knowledge pool through research that can lead to improvements in interventions that address the physical and behavioral health needs of children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental disabilities,
evidence-based guideline development,
validation of tools, and
information dissemination to health professionals and the public, especially families impacted by ASD and other developmental disabilities.

To read about this work in greater detail, click on the boxes below:

Current research

Development of
guidelines and algorithms

Dissemination

Recent research
announcements

Development of Guidelines

Researchers and clinicians are working toward the development of clinical practice guidelines and algorithms for identifying and treating medical problems that often affect individuals with autism:

Sleep Disturbance
Gastrointestinal (GI) Disorders
Neurological / Genetic / Metabolic Conditions

The aim is to reach consensus and gather evidence about recommended practices for diagnostics, screenings, and treatments for autism and associated conditions.

Who's Who in the AIR-P

The AIR-P is made possible through the efforts of many people and agencies who are responsible for:

Funding the program
Day-to-day operations
Guidance and oversight
Leading the current research studies:
- Nutrition – Susan Hyman, M.D.
- Sleep Disorders – Beth Malow, M.D., M.S.

The chart below sets out the organizations taking part in the AIR-P:

Clinical Coordinating Center – MGH

James Perrin, M.D.
Director

Dan Coury, M.D.
Medical Director

Kirsten Klatka, M.S.W.
Clinical Program Manager

Brian Winklosky, M.A.
Clinical Research Program Manager

Autism Speaks

Clara Lajonchere, Ph.D.
Vice President
Clinical Programs

Nancy Jones, Ph.D.
ATN Program Director

Rick Kolan, M.S.
Program Officer

Eva Hurtado, M.S.
Program Officer

Clinical Guidelines (AIR-P)

NICHQ: National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality

Data Coordinating Center

EMMES

Participating Sites

Bloorview Kids Rehab Center The Hospital for Sick Children Surrey Place Centre

Arkansas Children's Hospital (UAMS)

Baylor College of Medicine

Children's Hospital University of Colorado

Kaiser Permanente Autism Spectrum Disorders Center

Cincinnati Children's Hospital

Columbia University Medical Center

Kennedy Krieger Institute

Massachusetts General Hospital LADDERS

Oregon Health and Science University

University of Missouri - Columbia

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

University of Rochester Medical Center

Vanderbilt University Medical School

Contact Us:
If you have questions, please contact us at atn@autismspeaks.org.

If you have questions about seeking care at a specific ATN location, you can find contact for each site here.

The AIR-P is funded by cooperative agreement UA3 MC 11054 through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Research Program.