ARPA-H launches SPECTRA program to advance autism diagnosis and precision care

ARPA-H announced the launch of the Systems for Phenotypic Evaluation, Clinical Trajectories, Response, and Agency (SPECTRA) program, a new effort aimed at transforming autism diagnosis and precision care.

The initiative will combine advanced computational tools with real‑world data to create an end‑to‑end system that identifies autism spectrum disorder risk factors and connects patients to appropriate interventions.

Researchers plan to work closely with stakeholders and advocacy groups, integrating objective biological data to accelerate clinical research for new therapies.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. highlighted the need for personalized approaches given autism’s variability and said the program will harness science and innovation to improve outcomes for individuals and families.