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Federal panel adopts overhauled strategic plan for autism
US advisory group proposes doubling annual autism research funding
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By Peter Clark (Senior Editor, Autism Info Center) Tuesday 22nd September 2026 |
A key US Government advisory committee has officially adopted a sweeping new strategic plan that calls for nearly doubling federal spending on autism initiatives.
The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee voted to approve the comprehensive roadmap, recommending over seven hundred and forty million dollars in annual federal funding.
The new strategy marks a significant structural departure from previous frameworks, reducing its emphasis on pure genetic research and shifting towards lifetime needs, diagnostics workforce training, and surveillance monitoring.
Crucially, the document introduces an explicit focus on profound autism, recognising the urgent requirements of individuals with intensive support needs and non-speaking communication profiles.
Advocacy organisations for severe autism welcomed the recognition of profound needs, though some expressed concern that specific funding was not formally attached to those initiatives.
However, the meeting also drew criticism from neurodiversity groups who argued that the restructured panel has excluded mainstream autistic self-advocates and experienced researchers.
The ambitious plan has now been submitted to federal health secretaries to help shape future public policies, resource allocations, and healthcare infrastructure across the country.
Source: Disability Scoop (USA)
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/08/28/
Further reading, listening and viewing...
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