HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced on Tuesday (November 26) the members appointed to the Department of Health and Human Services' new Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. This committee coordinates efforts within the department to combat autism spectrum disorder through research, screening, intervention, and education. Secretary Leavitt says the committee will facilitate the efficient and effective exchange of information on autism activities among member agencies, and coordinate autism-related programs and initiatives. NPN is glad to see the federal goverment and Secretary Leavitt moving ahead on this important work to help families of children struggling with Autism.
"This important committee will play a key role in coordinating autism research, services, and education related to autism spectrum disorder," Secretary Leavitt said. "I'm pleased that its members bring to the committee a wide range and great depth of expertise, including research and program administration, advocacy and personal experience with the condition."
Authorized under the Combating Autism Act of 2006, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee advises the HHS Secretary and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Secretary Leavitt delegated the authority to establish the committee to the NIH, which designated its National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to lead this activity.
The committee chair is Thomas R. Insel, M.D., director of NIMH who noted "The committee's first priority will be to develop a strategic plan for autism research that can guide public and private investments to make the greatest difference for families struggling with autism,"
HHS is active in fostering research and making the results available to aid people with autism. Among the activities:
• NIH funding and expertise support the Autism Centers of Excellence program, which the agency launched after the Combating Autism Act was passed, to seek the causes of autism and new treatments for the disorder.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports a multi-state collaborative study to help identify factors that put children at risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and other developmental disabilities. The five-year study, called SEED (Study to Explore Early Development), is currently enrolling participants.
CDC has reported findings from the first and largest summary of autism prevalence data from multiple U.S. communities. These findings, which found autism spectrum disorders in approximately one in 150 children in these communities, was reported by the Autism and Development Disabilities Monitoring Network, which was designed to provide more consistent and reliable estimates.
For additional info on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee and notices and activities of upcoming meetings go to this website.
