Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Receives up to $17.25 Million Grant to Advance Autism Research

Funding supports CHLA’s role in an international clinical trial network designed to accelerate new therapies for children with autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) has received a grant of up to $17.25 million through the Aligning Research to Impact Autism (ARIA) Innovative Medicine and Precision Approaches to Clinical Trials (IMPACT) Network, supporting the hospital’s role in an international network focused on autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions in children.

Jonathan Santoro, MD, will serve as Principal Investigator for the combined CHLA/UCLA site. As Chief of Neurology and Co-Director of the Neurological Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. Santoro will oversee the collaboration’s research efforts across both institutions. He will work closely with UCLA Co–Principal Investigators Rujuta B. Wilson, MD, MS, and Rajsekar Rajaraman, MD, MS. Together, this formalizes a single site within the integrated network, expanding the ARIA IMPACT Network’s reach on the West Coast and strengthens research infrastructure across Southern California.

“CHLA is known for excellence in autism and neurodevelopmental care, and this award will help bring research opportunities, cutting-edge therapies, and new interventions to the children and families we serve,” Dr. Santoro said. “It also strengthens our ability to build trial-ready cohorts and generate the data needed to advance future therapies.”

Diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and related neurodevelopmental conditions are increasing in Los Angeles and across Southern California, reflecting national trends. The need for earlier identification, deeper understanding, and broader access to research continues to grow.

The ARIA IMPACT Network will follow children over time to better understand how autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions develop and change. By using common evaluations across sites, researchers can collect more consistent data and build a stronger foundation for future clinical trials. This coordinated approach is designed to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into new therapeutic opportunities for children.

“This award recognizes CHLA’s leadership in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders and increases our collaboration with UCLA to enhance coordinated research for children and families,” said Alan S. Wayne, MD, Pediatrician-in-Chief and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Wayne also serves as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Keck School of Medicine at USC.

"The ARIA IMPACT Network was built on the premise that no single institution can generate the scale and quality of evidence this field needs on its own," said Ekemini Riley, PhD, Managing Director of ARIA. "The united team at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and UCLA brings the expertise and dedication that make this kind of coordinated science possible, and we are glad to have them as partners in advancing therapeutic opportunities for autistic people."

About Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

In the 125 years since its founding in 1901, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has been at the forefront of pediatric medicine and a global leader in delivering comprehensive and compassionate care. Today, CHLA is the largest provider of hospital care for children in California, serving one of the largest and most diverse pediatric populations in the United States. For 2025-26, U.S. News & World Report ranks Children’s Hospital Los Angeles tied as the best children’s hospital in the nation, in California, and the Pacific U.S. region. CHLA is among the top 10 children’s hospitals for research funding from the National Institutes of Health; The Saban Research Institute of CHLA supports the full continuum of research, translating scientific discoveries into life-changing treatments for patients everywhere. A renowned pediatric academic medical center, CHLA is home to the Chuck Lorre Pediatric Health Education Institute, which encompasses education programs throughout the organization. CHLA is also committed to building stronger, healthier communities by enhancing health education and literacy, introducing more people to health care careers, and fighting food insecurity. To learn more, follow CHLA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and X, and visit CHLA.org.