New autism group meets to counter MAHA's agenda

An independent panel of autism experts met in Washington to present a science-based alternative after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed 21 new members to the federal autism committee; the independent group said the federal picks reflect a narrow ideological agenda and proceeded with its session after HHS postponed its meeting.

An independent panel of autism experts convened in Washington, D.C. to present a science-based alternative to the federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. The group formed after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed 21 new members to the federal panel. Critics in the autism science and advocacy community said those federal picks reflect a narrow ideological agenda and include supporters of the Make America Healthy Again initiative. The independent committee includes former federal panel members, prominent scientists, advocacy representatives and one person who identifies as autistic. Key points: - The Independent Autism Coordinating Committee held its first meeting in Washington to offer a science-based alternative to the federal panel. - HHS announced 21 new members for the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee; the article reports many of those appointees back Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again initiative and that some share a belief linking vaccines to autism, a claim the article describes as thoroughly debunked. - The independent group includes five former members of the federal committee, two former directors of the National Institute of Mental Health, scientists, advocacy representatives and one person who identifies as autistic. - After the independent committee’s plans became public, HHS postponed its scheduled federal meeting; the independent group decided to meet anyway. - The independent committee plans to prepare reports for Congress, hopes to interact with the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and says it will focus on research areas including profound autism and language or communication supports. Summary: The independent committee seeks to influence autism research and services by producing reports for lawmakers and engaging major funders, while presenting a science-focused alternative to the newly reconstituted federal panel. Its independent status limits its formal authority, and the extent of its impact on federal policy is undetermined at this time.