A new blueprint for autism research
A new federal advisory panel on autism has released its first guidelines for autism research.
A new federal advisory panel on autism has released its first guidelines for autism research.
The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), created in 2006 by an act of Congress, is responsible for devising a strategic plan for funding research into autism and its related disorders. It is comprised of federal and public members, and held numeorus town-hall meetings to help develop its research guidelines.
It’s chosen to list its blueprint in the form of six questions. On the IACC web site, each question is followed by a brief summary of what is known so far, and therefore what research remains to be done to fully answer the question. Short- and long-term objectives are listed, as well as detailed research opportunities, including budget levels.
The six questions are: When should I be concerned? How can I understand what is happening? What caused this to happen and can this be prevented? Which treatments and interventions will help? Where can I turn for services? What does the future hold?
More information is available at the IACC’s Web site.
