04/03/2026
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.
The new Independent Autism Coordinating Committee will bring together accomplished scientific experts and stakeholders with research expertise, with the goal of accelerating scientific discovery, improving care, and positively impacting the lives of people with autism. It will create a research agenda for autism that reflects the rapid progress and growing promise of autism science, and will report annually on the key advances in autism research across the translational continuum, including basic research on genes and cells, environmental causes, early detection, therapeutics, and services.
The I-ACC will maintain an independent agenda and will also follow the meeting schedule of the Kennedy-appointed IACC so that it can respond quickly to any recommendations that are not supported by science. The group will serve as a credible source for anyone trying to understand the science of autism.
More information in the comments.
Source: © 2026 Autism Science Foundation. All rights reserved.
