Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee Seeks Feedback · 2009-08-01 11:00

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, responsible for developing the U.S. national strategic plan for autism research, is again seeking suggestions from the general public regarding autism research needs and priorities.
The Committee’s official Request For Information (NOT-MH-09-013) is reproduced in its entirety below. For full consideration and official publication, responses must be received by by August 21, 2009, via the web interface at http://www.acclaroresearch.com/oarc/rfi.

Request for Information (RFI) Updating the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research

Notice Number: NOT-MH-09-013

Key Dates

Release Date:  July 23, 2009
Response Date:  August 21, 2009

Issued by

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Description

On behalf of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, the NIMH is seeking comments to inform the annual update of the IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Researc as required by the Combating Autism Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-416).

Background

The IACC was established as a result of The Combating Autism Act. The act requires that the IACC develop a strategic plan for autism research and update the strategic plan annually. The IACC is composed of both Federal and public members.  The first IACC Strategic Plan for ASD Research was developed through an extensive process engaging a wide range of Federal agencies and public stakeholders. The Strategic Plan is organized around six questions that are important for people with ASD and their families:

  1. When should I be concerned?
  2. How can I understand what is happening?
  3. What caused this to happen and can this be prevented?
  4. Which treatments and interventions will help?
  5. Where can I turn for services?
  6. What does the future hold?

The purpose of this RFI is to solicit input from ASD stakeholders to inform the next update of the Strategic Plan.

Information Requested

For each section of the IACC Strategic Plan, please provide input on new areas of research or areas in which additional research is needed. Please include suggestions regarding missing or underrepresented knowledge areas, new opportunities needed for advancing research and knowledge about ASD, and suggestions for prioritizing research objectives.

The information that you provide will become part of the public record.  You have the option of posting your responses anonymously or you may choose to have your name associated with your response.

How to Submit a Response

All comments must be submitted electronically via this web-based form (http://www.acclaroresearch.com/oarc/rfi/). Responses to this RFI are optional and will be accepted through August 21, 2009. You will receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response, but will not receive individualized feedback on any suggestions. Please do not include any personally identifiable or confidential information that you do not wish to make public. No basis for claims against the U.S. Government shall arise as a result of a response to this request for information or from the Government’s use of such information.

All responses will be made publicly available on the IACC website following the closing deadline for this notice.

Inquiries

Specific questions about this RFI should be directed to:

Attention: RFI on Updating the Strategic Plan for ASD Research
Office of Autism Research Coordination
Office of the Director
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8235, MSC 9669
Bethesda, MD 20892-9669
Email: iacc@mail.nih.gov

Comments


  1. This is a great opportunity for people to be heard. It is clear that they do read and consider the comments submitted.

    If people have an idea of where they would like autism research funding spent, this is the time/place to make those ideas heard.

    — Sullivan    2009-08-02 21:57    #