IACC Publications

IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research, 2012 Update [HTML version], (PDF – 1 MB)

The 2012 Strategic Plan Update provides an update on recent developments in each of the seven critical research areas outlined in the 2011 IACC Strategic Plan for ASD Research, including screening and diagnosis, the underlying biology of ASD, risk factors, treatments and interventions, services, lifespan issues, and surveillance and infrastructure.

Statement of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Related to the Sandy Hook Tragedy, December 21, 2012 [HTML version]

The events of December 14 in Newtown, Connecticut shocked and saddened people worldwide. All of the members of the IACC express our deepest sympathy and support for the families and community affected by these terrible killings. Some news reports suggested the gunman had Asperger syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Because this tragic event has shaken so many, the IACC wants to ensure that continued speculation about the gunman's diagnosis does not hurt others in the community. Our committee has collectively prepared this statement to address public concerns and questions about the implied association between autism and extreme violence directed at others.

IACC/OARC Autism Spectrum Disorder Publications Analysis: The Global Landscape of Autism Research, July 2012 [HTML version], (ZIP – 4.5 MB)

On behalf of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), the Office of Autism Research Coordination (OARC) and Thomson Reuters, Inc. published the IACC/OARC Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Publications Analysis Report: The Global Landscape of Autism Research (ZIP – 4.5 MB). This inaugural report describes several key aspects of worldwide ASD research publications, which can be used to inform planning and strategic funding decisions for future autism research. ASD-related research articles published between 1980 and 2010 were analyzed to identify historical trends and publication outputs across the seven critical research areas of the 2011 IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research. Information found in research publications was also used to assess the institutions conducting ASD research, funding organizations supporting the research publications, and the extent of collaboration between authors from different countries and research institutions. Additionally, measures such as citation counts were used as an assessment of the impact of this published research. By analyzing publications as a major output of the autism research field, this report complements the annual IACC Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Portfolio Analysis Report, which tracks major US inputs or investments into autism research, and highlights trends that can provide a useful perspective on the development and current state of ASD research. Extended Web appendices are also available.

The final version contains all final content, high-resolution figures and supplementary appendix material, and replaces the pre-publication draft, which was released on the IACC website on July 9th, 2012.

IACC Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Portfolio Analysis Report, 2010 [HTML version], (PDF – 2.4 MB)

In 2011, the Office of Autism Research Coordination (OARC), on behalf of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), conducted a comprehensive analysis of the 2010 autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research portfolio of major Federal agencies and private organizations. This is the third annual analysis of this nature, following the 2009 IACC Portfolio Analysis Report released in 2011 and the 2008 IACC Portfolio Analysis Report released in 2009. The intent of these analyses is to better inform the IACC and interested stakeholders about the funding landscape and current directions for ASD research. Additionally, this analysis examines the extent to which current funding and research topics align with the 2011 IACC Strategic Plan for ASD Research. The 2010 Portfolio Analysis can also be used by Federal agencies and private research organizations to help guide future funding priorities by outlining current gaps and opportunities in ASD research, as well as serving to highlight current activities and research progress.

IACC Summary of Advances in Autism Spectrum Disorder Research: Calendar Year 2011 [HTML version], (PDF – 542 KB)

The Combating Autism Act (CAA) of 2006 (Public Law 109-416, PDF – 48.6 KB) requires the IACC to develop and annually update a Strategic Plan for ASD research. Each year the members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee identify recent research findings that made the most impact on the field. For the 2011 Summary of Advances, the IACC selected and summarized 20 research findings and associated publications that gave significant insight into the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder, the biology of the disorder, potential risk factors, and possible interventions.

IACC Letter to the Secretary on Seclusion and Restraint – September 7, 2011 (PDF – 91 KB)

At the November 8, 2010 IACC Services Workshop, the committee heard a presentation (PDF – 2.5 MB) on the use of seclusion and restraint practices in a variety of settings that serve the needs of children and adults with developmental disabilities, including concerns about risks that these practices may pose to the health and safety of individuals on the autism spectrum. The committee decided to address this issue in greater depth by hosting a one-day meeting on May 19, 2011 on the topic of seclusion and restraint. Following this meeting, the committee drafted a letter (PDF – 91 KB) to Secretary Sebelius to highlight this issue and to provide recommendations.

IACC Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Portfolio Analysis Report, 2009 [HTML version], (PDF – 2 MB)

In 2010, the Office of Autism Research Coordination (OARC) and Acclaro Research Solutions, Inc., on behalf of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), conducted a comprehensive analysis of the 2009 autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research portfolio of major Federal agencies and private organizations.  This is the second annual analysis of this nature, following the 2008 IACC Portfolio Analysis Report released in 2009.  The intent of these analyses is to better inform the IACC and interested stakeholders about the funding landscape and current directions for ASD research. Additionally, this analysis examines the extent to which current funding and research topics align with the 2010 IACC Strategic Plan for ASD Research. The 2009 Portfolio Analysis can also be used by Federal agencies and private research organizations to help guide future funding priorities by outlining current gaps and opportunities in ASD research, as well as serving to highlight current activities and research progress.

IACC Summary of Advances in Autism Spectrum Disorder Research: Calendar Year 2010 [HTML version], (PDF – 467 KB)

The Combating Autism Act (CAA) of 2006 (Public Law 109-416, PDF – 48.6 KB) requires the IACC to develop and annually update a Strategic Plan for ASD research. Each year the members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee identify recent research findings that made the most impact on the field. For the 2010 Summary of Advances, the IACC selected and summarized 20 research findings and associated publications that gave significant insight into the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder, the biology of the disorder, potential risk factors, and possible interventions.

IACC Letter to Secretary Sebelius on Wandering – February 9, 2011 (PDF – 85 KB)

At the October 22, 2010 meeting of the IACC, the committee heard a presentation (PDF – 1.2 MB) and public comment regarding the health and safety issues related to wandering behavior in autism. In response to concerns raised, the committee formed a new Subcommittee on Safety to address this and other safety-related issues, and they drafted a letter (PDF – 85 KB) to Secretary Sebelius to highlight this issue and to provide recommendations. The committee received a response letter (PDF – 47 KB) from Secretary Sebelius thanking them for the information and recommendations.

IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research, January 2011 [HTML version], (PDF – 1 MB)

The Combating Autism Act (CAA) of 2006 (Public Law 109-416, PDF – 48.6 KB) requires the IACC to develop and annually update a Strategic Plan for ASD research. The Strategic Plan is an advisory document to the U.S. Congress, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) regarding the needs and opportunities for ASD research.

IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research, January 2010 [HTML version], (PDF – 1.1 MB)

The Combating Autism Act (CAA) of 2006 (Public Law 109-416, PDF – 48.6 KB) requires the IACC to develop and annually update a Strategic Plan for ASD research. The Strategic Plan is an advisory document to the U.S. Congress, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) regarding the needs and opportunities for ASD research.

IACC Summary of Advances in Autism Spectrum Disorder Research: Calendar Year 2009 [HTML version], (PDF – 580 KB)

The Combating Autism Act (CAA) of 2006 (Public Law 109-416, PDF – 48.6 KB) requires the IACC to develop and annually update a Strategic Plan for ASD research. Each year the members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee identify recent research findings that made the most impact on the field. For the 2009 Summary of Advances, the IACC selected and summarized 20 studies and associated publications that gave significant insight into the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder, the biology of the disorder, potential risk factors, and possible interventions.

IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research, January 2009 [HTML version], (PDF – 1.3 MB)

The Combating Autism Act (CAA) of 2006 (Public Law 109-416, PDF – 48.6 KB) requires the IACC to develop and annually update a Strategic Plan for ASD research. The Strategic Plan is an advisory document to the U.S. Congress, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) regarding the needs and opportunities for ASD research.

IACC Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Portfolio Analysis Report, 2008 [HTML version], (PDF – 897 KB)

In 2009, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) conducted a comprehensive analysis of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research portfolios of major Federal agencies and private organizations. The analysis was conducted to better inform the committee and interested public about the funding landscape for ASD research and how well this matched the new IACC Strategic Plan for ASD research. In so doing, the portfolio analysis also can be used by Federal agencies and private research organizations to help guide future funding priorities by highlighting current gaps and opportunities in ASD research as well as serving as a baseline to assess research progress.

IACC Summary of Advances in Autism Spectrum Disorder Research: Calendar Year 2008 [HTML version], (PDF – 264 KB)

The Combating Autism Act (CAA) of 2006 (Public Law 109-416, PDF – 48.6 KB) requires the IACC to develop and annually update a summary of advances in ASD research. To highlight some of the areas where critical advances were made in calendar year 2008, this document summarizes 37 articles published (or e-published) in 2008 in peer-reviewed journals or government publications.

IACC Summary of Advances in Autism Spectrum Disorder Research: Calendar Year 2007 [HTML version], (PDF – 147 KB)

The Combating Autism Act (CAA) of 2006 (Public Law 109-416, PDF – 48.6 KB) requires the IACC to develop and annually update a summary of advances in ASD research. To highlight some of the areas where critical advances were made in calendar year 2007, this document summarizes 54 articles published (or e-published) in 2007 in peer-reviewed journals or government publications.

Evaluating Progress on the IACC Autism Research Matrix, November 2006

In 2003, the IACC convened a panel of scientific experts to evaluate the field of autism spectrum disorder research and to develop a matrix of action items that could be used for research planning. This document describes a panel subsequently convened in 2006, comprising both scientific experts and public members, which evaluated the progress made for each element of the matrix, noting successes, and suggesting course corrections and new areas of emphasis.

IACC Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Services Roadmap, May 2005

The IACC established a Services Subcommittee to develop a national action plan to address the immediate service system needs of individuals with autism and their families across the lifespan based on the best available science and the best practices currently in use. The action plan is intended to provide a national blueprint to enhance existing systems; expand services for children, youth, and adults with ASD and their families; and coordinate services across systems.

IACC Report to the Congressional Appropriations Committee on the State of Autism Research, April 2004

The IACC convened a panel of expert scientists to evaluate the field of autism research and develop a matrix of action items that could be used in planning for research in the years ahead. This report summarizes a two-day meeting of the panel, the development of a draft version of an autism research matrix, the public rollout and discussion of that draft matrix at the recent Autism Summit, and the adoption of an initial version of the matrix by the IACC.