Every year the federal government distributes funds for research on autism. The IACC makes recommendations about where those funds go and what research should be prioritized. The IACC meets several times each year to discuss where these funds should go and how much money different research subjects should get. 

Self advocates have the power to influence what kinds of autism research the IACC funds. Right now, research funding on autism still disproportionately focuses on behavioral therapies, biomedical studies, and causation and “prevention.” Research priorities should reflect what the autistic community needs — and before each IACC meeting, we have the opportunity to tell the government what research should be prioritized, and where the gaps in funding are.

You can do this by submitting a comment to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) by January 10, 2023! The autistic community needs to make our voices heard in these decisions. Nothing About Us Without Us!

Here is how to submit a public comment to the IACC:

• Use the form here.
• The form asks for your first and last name and an email address. You must offer this information in order to submit your comment    .
• There is a box you can type your comment in. It is recommended you keep your comment under 1000 words.
• You must be 18 years or older to submit a comment.
• If you have questions about what you can say in a comment, the IACC has guidelines here.
• Your comments will only be recorded once you hit “Submit” at the end of the form.
• You will see onscreen a confirmation that your answers have been submitted
• You will not receive any email response or feedback from IACC right away.

Learn about what the IACC does and how you can make an impact on autism research by reading our toolkit here!

IACC comments provide an opportunity to let research funders know exactly what questions and concerns you have around autism research. These comments can be a place to voice questions you wish were better explored about autism, name information that would help you have a better quality of life, or express concern about current trends in autism research. 

IACC comments are often dominated by non-autistic family members and researchers, as opposed to autistic people ourselves. Research priorities should reflect our priorities — this is funding that should help us understand our community and how we can better support autistic people living our lives.

Submit your comments to IACC by January 10, 2023. Your voice can make an impact that shapes how research works for our entire community.


Autistic Self Advocacy Network
PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035
United States
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