Autism Treatment Network
Quick Guide:
What is the ATN?
How did the ATN start?
Which institutions participate in the ATN?
What does the ATN mean to families?
How do participating institutions benefit?
Whom can I contact for more information?
Download an informational one-sheet about ATN
What is the ATN?
How did the ATN start?
Which institutions participate in the ATN?
What does the ATN mean to families?
How do participating institutions benefit?
Whom can I contact for more information?
Download an informational one-sheet about ATN
What is the ATN?
For years autism has been considered by some, including many insurance companies, as solely a mental health issue. As a result, the physical health issues associated with autism have been greatly ignored; in many cases insurers have not covered medical screenings or treatments for children with an autism diagnosis. In fact, despite increasing awareness of autism in recent times, many doctors still have difficulty providing effective care and treatment for autistic patients. The Autism Treatment Network (ATN) was established to address these issues.
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
To provide additional data to support the development of evaluation and treatment guidelines, ATN clinicians also conduct clinical research projects directly aimed at improving children's health and healthcare. One of the ATN's most significant endeavors is its participation in the Health Services and Resources Administration's (HRSA) Combating Autism Act Initiatives. The ATN will serve as the Autism Intervention Network for Physical Health for this initiative. Click on the link above to learn more about this initiative and how it supports the ATN mission.
How did the ATN start?
The ATN began as a joint venture between the Northwest Autism Foundation in Oregon and Massachusetts General Hospital for Children in Boston. Initially their association focused on specific medical issues commonly experienced by children with autism. In the course of their studies they concluded that medical care for individuals with autism was far from ideal. Much of the problem was due to the lack of any organized group devoted to defining a high standard of medical care for autistic patients. The ATN was intended to fill this need, so its initial formation included the recruitment of a group of distinguished physicians and researchers who would define its mission and goals. Another organization, Cure Autism Now, recognized that this innovative network could play a valuable role in its own mission to identify the means of preventing, treating and ultimately curing autism. To this end, Cure Autism Now joined forces with the Autism Treatment Network, incorporating it as one of its key research programs. Cure Autism Now and Autism Speaks subsequently merged with the National Alliance for Autism Research bringing together the three leading organizations dedicated to accelerating and funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Which institutions participate in the ATN?
ATN Clinical Coordinating Center
Massachussetts General Hospital (Boston, MA)
James Perrin, M.D., Director, Clinical Coordinating Center
Kirsten Klatka, M.S.W., Clinical Coordinator
ATN Data Coordinating Center
EMMES Corporation (Rockville, MD)
Donna Brown, Project Manager
Traci Clemons, Ph.D., Statistician
Kristine Nelson, R.N., Systems Manager
Danielle Johnson, Data Manager
www.emmes.com
Eastern Region
LADDERS/Mass General Hospital(Boston, MA)
Margaret Bauman, M.D.
Martha Herbert, M.D., Ph.D.
Contact: Christine Ferrone
Phone: (781) 449-6074, ext. 1245
MGHLaddersResearch@partners.org
Columbia University Medical Center (New York, NY)
Agnes Whitaker, M.D.
Reet Sidhu, M.D.
Contact: Maureen McSwiggan-Hardin, NP-P
Phone: (212) 342-1600
http://newyorkautism.columbia.edu
Kennedy Krieger Institute (Baltimore, MD)
Rebecca Landa, Ph.D.
Stewart Mostofsky, M.D.
Contact: Katie Voss
Phone: (443) 923-7559
vossk@kennedykrieger.org
University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)
Nancy Minshew, M.D.
Cynthia Johnson, Ph.D.
Benjamin Handen, Ph.D.
Contact (7 and younger): Intake Clinic
Phone: (412) 692-5561
Contact (8 and older): Dana Barvinchak
Study Coordinator Merck Child Outpatient Clinic
Phone: (412) 235-5412
dana_barvinchakdm@upmc.edu
University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)
Susan Hyman, M.D.
Tristram Smith, Ph.D.
Contact: Carol G. Stamm
Sr. Health Project Coordinator
Phone: (585) 275-0953
www.stronghealth.com/services/childrens/Centers/kirchcenter.cfm
Carol_stamm@urmc.rochester.edu
Midwest Region
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center(Cincinnati, OH)
Patricia Manning-Courtney, M.D.
Cynthia Molloy, M.D., M.S.
Contact: Terry Mitchell
Clinical Research Coordinator
Phone: (513) 636-1665
terry.mitchell@cchmc.org
University of Missouri (Columbia, MO)
Judith Miles, M.D., Ph.D.
Stephen Kanne, Ph.D.
Contact: Thompson Center Clinic
Phone: (573) 882-6081
thompsoncenter.missouri.edu
Southern Region
Baylor College of Medicine(Houston, TX)
Diane Treadwell-Deering, M.D.
Daniel Glaze, M.D.
Contact: Aryn Polk
Phone: (832) 822-3751
japolk@texaschildrens.org
University of Arkansas
and Arkansas Children's Hospital (Little Rock, AR)
Jill James, Ph.D.
Eldon Schulz, M.D.
Jill Fussell, M.D.
Contact: Nancy Lowery
Phone: (501) 364-1492
lowerynancyk@uams.edu
Vanderbilt University Medical School (Nashville, TN)
Wendy Stone, Ph.D.
Beth Malow, M.D.
autismclinic@vanderbilt.edu
Western Region
Kaiser Permanente - San Jose Community (Santa Teresa)
Medical Center (San Jose, CA)
Lisa Croen, Ph.D.
Pilar Bernal, M.D.
Contact: Jack Collins
Phone: (408) 972-7589
Autism.Research@kp.org
Oregon Health & Science University (Portland, OR)
Robert Steiner, M.D.
Darryn Sikora, Ph.D.
Contact: Karen Grant, Psy.D.
Phone: (503) 418-1832
grantkar@ohsu.edu
University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine
and The Children's Hospital (Denver, CO)
Cordelia Robinson, Ph.D., R.N.
Ann Reynolds, M.D.
Susan Hepburn, Ph.D.
Contact: Harriet B. Austin, Ph.D.
Phone: (720) 777-6602
austin.harriet@tchden.org
University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
Bryan King, M.D.
Raphael Bernier, Ph.D.
Contact: Libby Bliss
Phone: (206) 884-1488
elizabeth.bliss@seattlechildrens.org
Canada
Bloorview Kids Rehab, Surrey Place Centre
and The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, ON, Canada)
Wendy Roberts, M.D.
Alvin Loh, M.D.
Contact: Salina Eldon
Phone: (416) 925-5141 ext. 2270
salina.eldon@surreyplace.on.ca
What does the ATN mean to families?
Each ATN site has a team of medical specialists who understand the needs of people with autism. In many cases all services are available at one location.
How do participating institutions benefit?
For years autism has been considered by some, including many insurance companies, as solely a mental health issue. As a result, the physical health issues associated with autism have been greatly ignored; in many cases insurers have not covered medical screenings or treatments for children with an autism diagnosis. In fact, despite increasing awareness of autism in recent times, many doctors still have difficulty providing effective care and treatment for autistic patients. The Autism Treatment Network (ATN) was established to address these issues.
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.
- 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.
To provide additional data to support the development of evaluation and treatment guidelines, ATN clinicians also conduct clinical research projects directly aimed at improving children's health and healthcare. One of the ATN's most significant endeavors is its participation in the Health Services and Resources Administration's (HRSA) Combating Autism Act Initiatives. The ATN will serve as the Autism Intervention Network for Physical Health for this initiative. Click on the link above to learn more about this initiative and how it supports the ATN mission.
How did the ATN start?
The ATN began as a joint venture between the Northwest Autism Foundation in Oregon and Massachusetts General Hospital for Children in Boston. Initially their association focused on specific medical issues commonly experienced by children with autism. In the course of their studies they concluded that medical care for individuals with autism was far from ideal. Much of the problem was due to the lack of any organized group devoted to defining a high standard of medical care for autistic patients. The ATN was intended to fill this need, so its initial formation included the recruitment of a group of distinguished physicians and researchers who would define its mission and goals. Another organization, Cure Autism Now, recognized that this innovative network could play a valuable role in its own mission to identify the means of preventing, treating and ultimately curing autism. To this end, Cure Autism Now joined forces with the Autism Treatment Network, incorporating it as one of its key research programs. Cure Autism Now and Autism Speaks subsequently merged with the National Alliance for Autism Research bringing together the three leading organizations dedicated to accelerating and funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Which institutions participate in the ATN?
ATN Clinical Coordinating Center
Massachussetts General Hospital (Boston, MA)
James Perrin, M.D., Director, Clinical Coordinating Center
Kirsten Klatka, M.S.W., Clinical Coordinator
ATN Data Coordinating Center
EMMES Corporation (Rockville, MD)
Donna Brown, Project Manager
Traci Clemons, Ph.D., Statistician
Kristine Nelson, R.N., Systems Manager
Danielle Johnson, Data Manager
www.emmes.com
Eastern Region
LADDERS/Mass General Hospital(Boston, MA)
Margaret Bauman, M.D.
Martha Herbert, M.D., Ph.D.
Contact: Christine Ferrone
Phone: (781) 449-6074, ext. 1245
MGHLaddersResearch@partners.org
Columbia University Medical Center (New York, NY)
Agnes Whitaker, M.D.
Reet Sidhu, M.D.
Contact: Maureen McSwiggan-Hardin, NP-P
Phone: (212) 342-1600
http://newyorkautism.columbia.edu
Kennedy Krieger Institute (Baltimore, MD)
Rebecca Landa, Ph.D.
Stewart Mostofsky, M.D.
Contact: Katie Voss
Phone: (443) 923-7559
vossk@kennedykrieger.org
University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)
Nancy Minshew, M.D.
Cynthia Johnson, Ph.D.
Benjamin Handen, Ph.D.
Contact (7 and younger): Intake Clinic
Phone: (412) 692-5561
Contact (8 and older): Dana Barvinchak
Study Coordinator Merck Child Outpatient Clinic
Phone: (412) 235-5412
dana_barvinchakdm@upmc.edu
University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)
Susan Hyman, M.D.
Tristram Smith, Ph.D.
Contact: Carol G. Stamm
Sr. Health Project Coordinator
Phone: (585) 275-0953
www.stronghealth.com/services/childrens/Centers/kirchcenter.cfm
Carol_stamm@urmc.rochester.edu
Midwest Region
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center(Cincinnati, OH)
Patricia Manning-Courtney, M.D.
Cynthia Molloy, M.D., M.S.
Contact: Terry Mitchell
Clinical Research Coordinator
Phone: (513) 636-1665
terry.mitchell@cchmc.org
University of Missouri (Columbia, MO)
Judith Miles, M.D., Ph.D.
Stephen Kanne, Ph.D.
Contact: Thompson Center Clinic
Phone: (573) 882-6081
thompsoncenter.missouri.edu
Southern Region
Baylor College of Medicine(Houston, TX)
Diane Treadwell-Deering, M.D.
Daniel Glaze, M.D.
Contact: Aryn Polk
Phone: (832) 822-3751
japolk@texaschildrens.org
University of Arkansas
and Arkansas Children's Hospital (Little Rock, AR)
Jill James, Ph.D.
Eldon Schulz, M.D.
Jill Fussell, M.D.
Contact: Nancy Lowery
Phone: (501) 364-1492
lowerynancyk@uams.edu
Vanderbilt University Medical School (Nashville, TN)
Wendy Stone, Ph.D.
Beth Malow, M.D.
autismclinic@vanderbilt.edu
Western Region
Kaiser Permanente - San Jose Community (Santa Teresa)
Medical Center (San Jose, CA)
Lisa Croen, Ph.D.
Pilar Bernal, M.D.
Contact: Jack Collins
Phone: (408) 972-7589
Autism.Research@kp.org
Oregon Health & Science University (Portland, OR)
Robert Steiner, M.D.
Darryn Sikora, Ph.D.
Contact: Karen Grant, Psy.D.
Phone: (503) 418-1832
grantkar@ohsu.edu
University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine
and The Children's Hospital (Denver, CO)
Cordelia Robinson, Ph.D., R.N.
Ann Reynolds, M.D.
Susan Hepburn, Ph.D.
Contact: Harriet B. Austin, Ph.D.
Phone: (720) 777-6602
austin.harriet@tchden.org
University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
Bryan King, M.D.
Raphael Bernier, Ph.D.
Contact: Libby Bliss
Phone: (206) 884-1488
elizabeth.bliss@seattlechildrens.org
Canada
Bloorview Kids Rehab, Surrey Place Centre
and The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, ON, Canada)
Wendy Roberts, M.D.
Alvin Loh, M.D.
Contact: Salina Eldon
Phone: (416) 925-5141 ext. 2270
salina.eldon@surreyplace.on.ca
What does the ATN mean to families?
Each ATN site has a team of medical specialists who understand the needs of people with autism. In many cases all services are available at one location.
- Depending on their needs, patients can see pediatricians, child psychiatrists, neurologists, psychologists, and gastrointestinal, metabolic and sleep specialists.
- Families may also have access to speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nutritional counseling or other specialty services.
- Families have an opportunity to have their child's screening and treatment information recorded in the ATN Data Registry. Participation in the registry is not a factor in a child's receiving treatment.
- The development of evidence-based clinical standards will go a long way toward inducing insurance companies to recognize the diagnosis of autism as a medical issue and ultimately to pay for the comprehensive screening, evaluation and treatment of physical health issues associated with this condition.
Note: It should be understood that procedures for referrals to specialists and services differ from site to site and that charges for screening and treatment are subject to the governing policies of each individual institution. You should direct any enquiries about charges and payment arrangements to the specified contact person for each site.
Please note also that the ATN is currently gathering data targeted towards the screening, evaluation and treatment of the physical health conditions associated with autism. While behavioral treatments are recommended, as appropriate, as part of the clinical care at these sites, the ATN is not currently systematically collecting data on behavioral treatments. The ATN believes these treatments are important, but is focusing its mission on getting all types of medical screening, evaluation and treatment recognized as a part of a diagnosis of autism. Other Autism Speaks initiatives are focusing on this area. One such initiative is the Toddler Treatment Network, which is a research network focused on the study of early behavioral interventions.
How do participating institutions benefit?
- Access to standardized protocols and assessments
- Collaborative arrangements within and across specialties for clinical practice and research
- Access to empirically derived treatment practices
- Latest practice parameters for treatment and screening
- Access to a national database of clinical date
- Highest quality data collection on well-characterized individuals across a variety of disciplines
- Ability to submit research proposals via the ATN database
- Access to a community of autism physicians
Whom can I contact for more information?
Nancy Jones, Ph.D.
Program Director
Phone: 1 (888) 8-AUTISM
Email: atn@autismspeaks.org
Mailing Address and Fax:
Autism Speaks
5455 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036-4234
Fax: 323-549-0450
Grant Mailing Address:
ATN-07-01 Submission
Autism Speaks
5455 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036
email: atngrants@autismspeaks.org
Download an informational ATN one-sheet here
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