Autism Research Centre

Autism Treatment Network

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Alvin Loh / Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou / Dr. Wendy Roberts

Purpose:

To improve the lives of all children and families with ASD: by creating and sustaining a national system of community accessible programs offering comprehensive and coordinated medical care for all children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and to develop evidence and support the improvement of care for these children and their families.

Recruitment:

Children and adolescents (2 years to 17 ½ years) referred by one of the ATN Developmental Paediatricians (lead Autism Specialists) at Holland Bloorview and satellite clinics, Surrey Place Centre and other community child development clinics. Enrollment in the ATN must occur within one year of diagnosis and diagnosis must include an ADOS. Participants in the ATN are followed for a period of 3 years.

More Info:

The Autism Treatment Network is a groundbreaking network of hospitals, physicians, researchers and families at 17 sites across the United States and Canada which began in 2008. During the first 3 year cycle of the network, the focus was to develop the most effective approach to medical care for children and adolescents affected by autism. In the current 3 year cycle, the mission continues as before but has also been broadened to improve the overall care for children with ASD with a focus on care co-ordination, quality improvement, and the involvement of families.  The Toronto Site of the ATN is one of two only two sites in Canada (the second site is in Edmonton, Alberta-Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital). The Toronto ATN site is comprised of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (HBKR)  (Lead Agency), Hospital for Sick Children (ATN specialists), and Surrey Place Centre (Clinical/Research Hub). The project is led by Dr. Alvin Loh (PI), Dr. Wendy Roberts (CoPI) and Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou (CoPI).

The ATN’s aim is to provide comprehensive, high quality care by teams of healthcare professionals who understand autism spectrum disorders and excel at treating associated medical conditions including the sleep disturbances and gastrointestinal problems that affect children with ASD and their families.

In addition to maintaining the highest standard of medical care, ATN experts carry out innovative research to develop more effective treatment standards for the wider community. The ATN Toronto site is actively engaged in leading and participating in a number of research projects which have been funded through the ATN by the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIRP) HRSA –Toronto is lead on the STAR (Study of Toddlers with Autism and Regression), Constipation and Toileting, and Creatine Deficiency Syndrome study. We are also involved in a Sleep Education Study led by Vanderbilt.

In Toronto, the ATN is also actively engaged in the important work of sharing this knowledge with other health care professionals and the wider community. Meetings have been held with community paediatricians to disseminate information coming out of the work of the ATN.  As well, ATN symposiums have been organized for parents and clincians to update them on clinical best practice and research findings.

For more information about this study, contact Salina Eldon at

tel: 416-925-5141 x 2270

email: salina.eldon@surreyplace.on.ca.

Funding Source:

Autism Speaks