The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), the federal advisory body that shapes U.S. autism research priorities and funding, convened for the first time in 19 months on Tuesday. The meeting marked a shift in focus toward autistic individuals with the most significant support requirements, following leadership changes under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In a notable move, the committee voted to recommend redefining the term “profound autism” to better address the needs of this population. The proposed change aims to refine how federal research and resources are allocated for those requiring the highest levels of assistance.
The IACC, which oversees hundreds of millions in annual autism research funding, also discussed broader priorities for advancing understanding and support for autistic individuals. The meeting followed months of restructuring within the committee, including the replacement of most scientific experts by Kennedy Jr. with advocates whose views align more closely with his controversial stances on autism’s potential links to vaccines and environmental factors.
Tuesday’s meeting represents the first gathering of the IACC since Donald Trump took office in 2017, highlighting a renewed federal focus on autism policy and research direction.
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