Hello families,
We want to update you on a developing situation at the federal level that directly impacts the future of autism research and funding.
The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), which is the federal panel responsible for advising the government on autism priorities, recently released a massive 336-page draft of their new strategic plan. Initially, they only gave the public four days to read it and submit comments before a scheduled July 31 vote.
Thanks to massive pushback from parent advocates and autism organizations who rightly argued that a four-day window is impossible for busy caregivers, the government has backed off. They are delaying the meeting until late August and extending the public comment period until August 20, 2026.
Why this matters:
This strategic plan is a big deal. It guides how the National Institutes of Health (NIH) spends billions of dollars on autism research and support services. The new draft has raised concerns among some scientists and advocates because it marks a radical departure from previous plans, potentially shifting funding priorities in controversial ways.
What you can do:
Your voice needs to be heard. The new deadline to submit your comments on what the government should prioritize when it comes to autism research and services is August 20 at 5:00 PM ET. We encourage you to review the plan and share your thoughts as a parent navigating these systems every day.
Warmly,
The Autism Pathways Team