The Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P) Research Agenda

Kuo, A. A., Hotez, E., Rosenau, K. A., Gragnani, C., Fernandes, P., Haley, M., on behalf of the AIR-P NATIONAL COORDINATING CENTER, Rudolph, D., Croen, L. A., Massolo, M. L., Graham Holmes, L., Shattuck, P., Shea, L., Wilson, R., Martinez-Agosto, J. A., on behalf of the AIR-P STEERING COMMITTEE, Brown, H. M., Dwyer, P., Gassner, D. L.,..., & BUREAU, o. b. o. t. H. R. A. S. A. M. A. C. H. (2022). The Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P) Research Agenda. Pediatrics, 149(Supplement 4). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-049437d

Publication date: 1 Apr 2022 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
31
Publication authors identified as autistic
9 / 31 (29.0%)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: In the United States, autistic individuals experience disproportionate physical and mental health challenges relative to non-autistic individuals, including higher rates of co-occurring and chronic conditions and lower physical, social, and psychological health-related quality of life. The Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P) is an interdisciplinary, multicenter research network for scientific collaboration and infrastructure that aims to increase the life expectancy and quality of life for autistic individuals, with a focus on underserved or vulnerable populations. The current paper describes the development of the AIR-P Research Agenda. METHODS: Development of the research agenda involved an iterative and collaborative process between the AIR-P Advisory Board, Steering Committee, and Autistic Researcher Review Board. The methodology consisted of 3 phases: (1) ideation and design, (2) literature review and synthesis; and (3) network engagement. RESULTS: Six core research priorities related to the health of autistic individuals were identified: (1) primary care services and quality, (2) community-based lifestyle interventions, (3) health systems and services, (4) gender, sexuality, and reproductive health, (5) neurology, and (6) genetics. Specific topics within each of these priorities were identified. Four cross-cutting research priorities were also identified: (1) neurodiversity-oriented care, (2) facilitating developmental transitions, (3) methodologically rigorous intervention studies, and (4) addressing health disparities. CONCLUSIONS: The AIR-P Research Agenda represents an important step forward for enacting large-scale health-promotion efforts for autistic individuals across the lifespan. This agenda will catalyze autism research in historically underrepresented topic areas while adopting a neurodiversity-oriented approach to health-promotion.

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Bibliography inclusion overview

These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:30.

Cited references
61
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
4 / 61 (6.6%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
9 / 304 (3.0%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 9 / 73 (12.3%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 5 / 275 (1.8%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
73 / 304 (24.0%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 48 / 275 (17.5%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
64 / 73 (87.7%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 64 / 304 (21.1%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 43 / 48 (89.6%).
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