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 t
