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This report examines the following two questions: 1) do income-based differences in health and health care outcomes look the same for children with and without autism? and 2) do income-based differences in health and health care outcomes look the same for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) children with autism and white children with autism? Examining the health and healthcare outcomes of children with autism in combination with other social characteristics offers several advantages. First, we can illuminate how demographics alone, and in combination with other social characteristics of children, are associated with differences in the rates of health and healthcare outcomes they experience. Second, it increases our understanding of the health-related experiences of social groups who are often neglected in research. Third, it provides current and comprehensive evidence on how children with autism experience relative disadvantages related to social determinants of health, which are aspects of the environment that affect health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.

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Few funding sources have explicitly supported systems‐wide research to identify mechanisms for improving access, service delivery, outcomes and wellbeing for autistic transition‐age youth and young adults. We aimed to integrate findings from research produced through a five‐year federal Autism Transition Research Project (ATRP) cooperative agreement. This capstone review sought to: (1) map the body of scientific evidence that emerged from this federal award, and (2) identify remaining evidence gaps to inform future autism transition services research. We used scoping review methods to assess 31 ATRP‐funded published scientific studies. We charted study characteristics, topical domains, socio‐ecological levels of variables, focus on equity, and inclusion of autistic participants. We evaluated how these topics were addressed across studies to identify continued gaps in the evidence base. Compared to prior published reviews and research agendas, we found improvements in characterization of study participants, broader examination of socio‐ecological correlates, and examination of multiple outcome domains. However, we also identified continued deficits in inclusion of autistic study participants, use of multisectoral data, and research with a strong focus on equity. Our recommended priorities for autism transition services research to facilitate healthy life outcomes and wellbeing included: continued analysis of population‐level data and improved data infrastructure; development of service delivery methods and interventions that target marginalized groups; expanded research to inform improvements in the performance and coordination of complex service ecosystems that interface with autistic youth; and bolstering the roles of autistic research participants.