Project Description:
The ATN is a collaboration of hospitals and medical centers dedicated to improving medical care for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to standardizing the care those individuals receive. The network aims to develop common clinical standards for medical care for individuals with ASD and to increase the pool of autism medical specialists through trainee mentorship and outreach to community-based physicians.
The ATN is the nation's first network of hospitals and physicians dedicated to developing a model of comprehensive medical care for children and adolescents with autism. The ATN offers families care from doctors highly experienced in helping individuals with autism and providing treatment for associated conditions such as gastrointestinal and sleep disorders. ATN doctors are dedicated to finding better ways to manage the health of children with autism and sharing their increasing knowledge across the wider medical community. In particular, the ATN is dedicated to developing better ways to identify, manage and treat the physical health conditions of children with autism. And as treatments for these conditions become better defined and recognized, it is the aim of the ATN to see insurers routinely recognize the autism diagnosis and cover physical health treatment.
Overview
Patient Care
The ATN consists of a network of collaborative clinical teams that provide ongoing care to children and families.
ATN clinicians are experienced in treating autism and associated disorders.
The ATN sites provide a comprehensive, coordinated care model for families.
Network Activity: Developing and Sharing Best Practices to Improve Care
ATN sites are committed to developing standards and guidelines for evaluating and treating physical conditions associated with autism, and to sharing these standards with a wide variety of other clinical programs.
The ATN has developed and implemented a common protocol for a multidisciplinary and comprehensive evaluation of children with autism.
The ATN maintains a Patient Registry. This database includes anonymous clinical data about participating families and patients that can be used to evaluate and track patient care in network facilities.
The ATN is committed to developing standard treatment protocols for physical health conditions based on proven clinical experience and evidence from the registry and related clinical research projects.
Keyword(s):
autism, treatment, ASD, clinical standards, medical care
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Not Applicable
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
National
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
