Group forms to guide autism research
Will an independent group provide better advice than the US government group?
A group of researchers and advocates has coalesced around concerns about changes in US Health and Human Services management of its Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. The group, which identifies itself as the “The Independent Autism Coordinating Committee,” has created a Web sire and plans to begin meeting 19 March 2026 in Washington, DC.
The I-ACC, which numbers among its members scholars and advocates with long and strong ties to important research, identifies its mission as working with research organizations and agencies to coordinate research about autism. Here is a snippet from the section of the Website about the mission:
The I-ACC will coordinate work among non-governmental autism research funders and will fulfill the Autism CARES Act objective of developing a coordinated scientific agenda for the autism community.
In 2006, Congress passed the Combating Autism Act, which created an Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). The law requires the IACC to develop an annual strategic plan for autism research and submit an annual summary of scientific advances to Congress. For the past 20 years, the IACC has fulfilled this role.
Earlier this year, HHS Secretary Kennedy announced 21 new public IACC members many of whom propound the false narrative that childhood vaccines cause autism. Several of the new members have promoted non-evidence based, often dangerous “treatments” for autism. None, including the new chair, have ever served on the IACC.
Clearly, the new group—the I-ACC—is a reaction to the changes wrought by Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Some members of the new group—the I-ACC—were formerly associated with the IACC, the committee created by the US Congress, as noted in the quoted material. Given the relationship between of the I-ACC members with the IACC, some critics are likely to point at them and say, “Sour grapes. You’re just disappointed that you lost your plum appointment” That argument will likely be trotted out as a means of undermining the I-ACC. Maybe not…we’ll see.
The I-ACC leaders include eminent researchers and research administrators. This is not a group of low-powered climbers. They represent diverse interests (pediatrics, psychiatry, organizations, parents, and more) and bring strong résumés to the group.
The formation of the I-ACC has been covered by media sources including these:
Robin Respaut on 3 March 2026 for Reuters: Autism researchers form independent committee as counter to Kennedy-appointed group
Alicia Ault on 3 March 2026 for Medscape: Autism Experts Strike an Independent Committee to Counter Federal Panel
Michelle Diament on 4 March 2026 for Disability Scoop: Troubled By RFK Jr.’s Overhaul Of Federal Autism Panel, Experts Launch Their Own
Pearl Steinzor on 4 March 2026 for American Journal of Managed Care: Autism Research Leaders Launch Independent Committee to Counter RFK’s Panel
Stay tuned!