Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s Autism Research Program

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview and quantitatively demonstrate the reach of the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau autism research program. METHODS: We reviewed program reports and internal data from 59 autism research grantees. The US federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee's strategic plan questions were used as a framework to highlight the contributions of the autism research program in advancing the field. RESULTS: The autism research program grantees advance research in several ways. Grantees have strengthened the evidence for autism interventions by conducting 89 studies at 79 distinct research sites. A total of 212 708 participants have enrolled in autism research program studies and 361 researchers have contributed to furthering autism research. The program addresses topics that align with the majority of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee's priority topic areas, including advancements in treatments and interventions, services and supports, and identifying risk factors. Grantee products include 387 peerreviewed publications, 19 tools, and 13 practice guidelines for improving care and intervention practices. CONCLUSIONS: The autism research program has contributed to medical advances in research, leveraged innovative training platforms to provide specialized training, and provided access to health services through research-based screening and diagnostic procedures. Autism research program studies have contributed to the development of evidence-based practice guidelines, informed policy guidelines, and quality improvement efforts to bolster advancements in the field. Although disparities still exist, the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau can reduce gaps in screening and diagnosis by targeting interventions to underserved populations including minority and rural communities. WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: A qualitative description on the purpose and utility of the Health Resources and Services Administration' s Maternal and Child Health Bureau autism research program has been previously presented. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: In this study, we provide quantitative indicators on the nationwide reach of the Health Resources and Services Administration' s Maternal and Child Health Bureau autism research program and their alignment with US federal priorities for autism research.

Autism: Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Treatment. The LADDERS Model

“…the northeast region of the United States and beyond, resources need to be sought near where any specific patient resides. Seeking and identifying skilled resources becomes the job of the Family Resource Coordinator/Patient Navigator in collaboration with other clinic providers [6]. The identification of skilled medical and therapeutic care and educational programs on behalf of the patient is as important as making the initial diagnosis.…”

Maternal separation stress through triggering of the neuro‐immune response in the hippocampus induces autistic‐like behaviors in male mice

“…Today, ASD has the highest rate of increase in the number of people worldwide (Mehra et al, 2022). Among the risk factors that participated in the pathophysiology of ASD, genetic, environmental, and maternal factors could be mentioned (Cheroni et al, 2020; DiBari et al, 2020). Dysfunction and dysregulation in the brain's neuro‐circuits and neurotransmitters can be linked with development of ASD (Gevi et al, 2020; Kumar et al, 2019).…”

Editors’ Note and Prologue

“…We are pleased to introduce the third supplement to Pediatrics led by the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P) with support from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act. 11 The 2 previous supplements led by the AIR-P were published in 2012 and 2016, and the work presented in this volume represents significant advances in improving the health and well-being of children with ASD through innovations in research and practice.…”

“…The supplement begins with an overview of the reach of the HRSA-MCHB Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Program and its alignment with federal priorities for ASD research. 11 The AIR-P represents 1 of 5 autism research networks funded by HRSA and MCHB. In 2008, the AIR-P joined the Autism Treatment Network (ATN), funded by Autism Speaks, to create a combined multi-institutional ATN AIR-P network.…”