The Policy Change
After a hiatus of over a year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the appointment of 21 new members to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). This federal panel is statutorily mandated to advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services and to coordinate all federal activities related to autism spectrum disorder. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stated that these new members would pursue rigorous science and deliver answers for Americans.
Traditionally, the IACC’s public membership has comprised a diverse group, including self-advocates, family members, academics, and representatives from leading autism research and advocacy organizations. However, the latest appointments represent a significant departure from this historical composition. Notably, established organizations like the Simons Foundation and Autism Speaks have been excluded, while several new members have a documented history of criticizing vaccines or promoting unproven theories regarding autism’s causes and treatments.
Among the controversial appointments are John Gilmore, founder of the Autism Action Network; Honey Rinicella, executive director of the Medical Academy of Pediatrics and Special Needs; parent advocate Ginger Taylor; and Toby Rogers, a fellow at the Brownstone Institute for Social and Economic Research. These selections have raised alarms among long-standing autism researchers and advocates who emphasize evidence-based approaches. David Mandell, a professor of psychiatry and autism researcher at the University of Pennsylvania who previously served on the IACC, expressed concern that the committee appears
Source: disabilityscoop.com
