Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) New Members Announced

AUTISM SCIENCE FOUNDATION PRESIDENT ALISON SINGER REAPPOINTED TO THIRD TERM ON INTERAGENCY AUTISM COORDINATING COMMITTEE (IACC)

ASF Scientific Advisors Dr. David Mandell and Dr. Kevin Pelphrey also Appointed

NEW YORK, NY (October 28, 2015) – Autism Science Foundation President Alison Singer has been reappointed to serve a third term as a public member of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), the Federal advisory committee that coordinates all efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning autism spectrum disorder (ASD), by HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell.

“I am honored and excited to continue representing individuals with autism and their families on the IACC, which plays an essential role in shaping the Federal government’s response to autism,” said Singer. “Through IACC, a range of voices from the autism community has direct input into critical government decisions, including how NIH dollars are spent on autism research. I’m thrilled to serve alongside such a dedicated group of advocates, scientists and government officials.”

Singer was first appointed to IACC in 2007 by then-HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt and reappointed for a second term in 2011 by former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. As a member of IACC, she has repeatedly played a central role in drafting the annual strategic plan to guide NIH spending on autism research. She has also served as co-chair of the IACC’s Safety Subcommittee, leading the group’s work to address issues of autism-related wandering, restraint and seclusion. In addition, she serves on the Strategic Plan Subcommittee and Services Subcommittee.

In nominating Singer for reappointment, Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) wrote: “Alison is a respected leader in the autism community because of her scientific knowledge, her boundless energy and her ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders.”

Two members of the Autism Science Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board, David Mandell, ScD, of the University of Pennsylvania and Kevin Pelphrey, PhD, of Yale University, were also appointed to the IACC.

About the Autism Science Foundation:

The Autism Science Foundation (ASF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Its mission is to support autism research by providing funding to scientists and organizations conducting autism research. ASF also provides information about autism to the general public and serves to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders and the needs of individuals and families affected by autism. To learn more about the Autism Science Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.autismsciencefoundation.org.