Federal Autism Research: Updated Information on Funding from Fiscal Years 2008 through 2012
Abstract
Autism is a complex developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors, or by severely limited activities and interests. The most recent estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)--an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)--indicate that about 1 in 68 children have been identified as having autism. In November 2013, we reported that 11 federal agencies awarded a combined total of approximately $1.2 billion to fund autism research from fiscal years 2008 through 2012. According to CDC, there are likely many causes of autism and many factors, including environmental, biologic, and genetic, that may make a child more likely to have autism. There is no known cure for autism; however, research shows that early intervention can greatly improve a child's development. To advance federal activities related to autism, including research, the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2014 was enacted in August of that year. The 11 agencies are the Department of Defense (DOD); Department of Education (Education); Environmental Protection Agency; National Science Foundation; and 7 agencies within HHS: Administration for Children and Families, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, CDC, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The Autism CARES Act reauthorized the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), which is a federal advisory committee composed of federal and nonfederal members. The act also requires IACC to develop and annually update a strategic plan for autism research.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1174443
Entities
People
- Cathleen Hamann
- Deirdre Brown
- Ernest Jr Powell
- Geri Redican-bigott
- Giselle Hicks
- Jackie Hamilton
- Jessica C. Smith
- Marcia G. Crosse
- Muriel Brown
- Sarah Resavy
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office