Public health strategies to improve autism care across the life course
Public Health and Autism Science advancing Effectual Strategies across the life course (PHASES)
This effort looks at ways to help autistic children, adolescents, young adults, and older adults get earlier diagnosis, better access to services, and improved health over their lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180102 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's viewpoint, the center studies how screening in primary care, health services, and public-health policies affect outcomes for autistic people at different ages. One project focuses on why some young children are diagnosed later and how to improve universal screening during pediatric visits. Other projects analyze Medicaid claims and national datasets to learn about co-occurring health problems in autistic adolescents, young adults, and older adults. The work aims to identify modifiable barriers and service gaps so care can be improved across the lifespan.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants include families of young children at risk for delayed autism detection, autistic adolescents and young adults with co-occurring health conditions, and middle-aged to older autistic adults experiencing health or cognitive decline.
Not a fit: People without autism, or those whose care does not involve primary-care screening pathways or Medicaid-covered services, may not directly benefit from these projects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier autism detection, better-coordinated health care, and reduced health disparities for autistic people of all ages.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show that improved screening and data-driven service planning can help with earlier identification and care, but this center applies a broader, life-course public-health approach that is less common.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Drexel University — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Robins, Diana L — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Robins, Diana L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.