An influential federal committee that advises the health secretary on all things autism adn shapes federally funded autism research and support services held an orientation Thursday for new nonfederal members, according to two sources familiar with the meeting.
It was the first gathering of the next iteration of the Interagency Autism Coordinating committee (IACC), which recently added multiple members who align with health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claim that childhood vaccines can cause autism - decades of scientific research has yet to find any conclusive evidence for such a link. Thursday’s orientation happened before the Department of Health and Human Services has made any formal announcements about the new members of the committee, and neither the committee’s website nor the Federal Register has published any advance information about a gathering of the committee members.
Researchers and autistic self-advocates worry that the new members’ beliefs and the lack of transparency about the committee and its activities are a sign that the influential advisory group could become a vehicle to spread misinformation about the condition and direct federal research dollars into long-debunked claims.
“This is an outrageous process,” said Helen Tager-Flusberg, a former committee member and director of the Center for Autism Research Excellence at Boston University. “This does not bode well for future [IACC] recommendations. It won’t be representing the autism community more broadly.”
The committee was on hiatus for 2025, a break that has happened in previous years. But many people in the autism community found it notable given Kennedy’s rhetoric surrounding the neurodevelopmental disorder - calling a rise in rates an “epidemic” and vowing to “end” autism – and his promise to use every lever of the federal government to find the causes of autism, including a $50 million research initiative, even though much of its etiology has been established by decades of robust research.
Stacking the autism advisory group with members aligned with Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again movement is not without precedent. In June, the health secretary fired every member of a key advisory committee that helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention set vaccine guidance, and soon after appointed new members who share his vaccine criticism - including the group’s chair, who recently questioned the necessity of the polio vaccine.
“Much like the vaccine advisory panels, which [promote] improper false information, the American people are going to be lied to by the IACC under the wrong leadership,” said Joshua Gordon, the former director of the National Institute of Mental Health and chair of IACC for eight years between 2016 and 2024.
Six people have publicly announced their selection onto the autism committee in recent weeks, including
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Membership Status
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As of January 24, 2026, a significant portion of applicants to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) have not yet received notification regarding their submission status, despite some new member selections being announced in December 2025 and the completion of new-member orientation. The application portal is now closed.
Coalition of Autism Scientists Concerns
More than 300 members of the Coalition of Autism Scientists have applied for positions on the IACC, but have not received updates on their applications. This lack of dialog has raised concerns within the autism research community.
Exmaple: the Federal Register notice detailing the 2025 IACC membership process indicates the committee seeks diverse portrayal from researchers, advocates, and individuals with autism. The delayed notifications impact the transparency of this selection process.
IACC Role and Purpose
The IACC was established by the Combating Autism Act of 2006 and reauthorized in subsequent legislation. It coordinates federal efforts to improve the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Detail: The committee provides recommendations to federal agencies regarding autism research, services, and policy. It publishes a strategic plan for autism research, updated every five years, outlining priorities for funding and investigation. The IACC is housed within the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Evidence: The IACC’s official website details its current members, strategic plan, and meeting summaries.The committee’s work directly influences the allocation of federal resources for autism research and support programs.
Recent Membership Updates
While many applicants await notification, the IACC did announce some new member selections in December 2025 and held a new-member orientation. The specific number of new members selected and their affiliations haven’t been publicly detailed beyond the initial announcements.
Detail: The application process for the IACC is competitive, reflecting the high level of interest in contributing to national autism policy. The IACC seeks representation from a variety of stakeholders, including individuals with autism, family members, researchers, and service providers.
Example: The IACC news section typically announces new member appointments, but as of January 24, 2026, a thorough list of all selected members for the 2025 cycle is not yet available.
