Transforming an Autism Pediatric Research Network into a Learning Health System: Lessons Learned

The Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network that serves as the Autism Intervention and Research Network on Physical Health (ATN/AIR-P) has a mission to improve the health and well-being of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and determine the best practices that lead to improved outcomes and expedite the translation of findings to practice. To better achieve this mission, the ATN/AIR-P is engaging in a design process to transition to a Learning Network (LN), the Autism Learning Health Network. The purpose of this paper is to: (1) make the medical and patient communities aware of an Autism LN that is based on the Institute of Medicine’s definition of a Learning Health System; (2) describe how and why the ATN/AIR-P transformed to an LN; and (3) share lessons learned that might inform the transition of future existing networks surrounding other conditions