Public Comment on Autism Research and Services

Self-advocates in the United States have an opportunity during the month of September to have our views heard by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) and its Services Subcommittee. The more suggestions we submit regarding priorities for autism services and research, the more likely it is that our concerns will be taken into account. Here's how we can tell the government what we want:


On behalf of the IACC, the National Institute of Mental Health has issued two Requests for Information (RFI):

Response Due 9/30/08: IACC Draft Strategic Plan for ASD Research is Available for Comment. The purpose of this time-sensitive RFI is to seek comments on the draft Strategic Plan from ASD stakeholders such as individuals with ASD and their families, autism advocates, scientists, health professionals, therapists, educators, officials of state and local programs for ASD, and the public at large. Please see the official RFI notice NOT-MH-08-021 at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-MH-08-021.html for more information and instructions for responding by the deadline of September 30, 2008. Responses should be directed to iacc@mail.nih.gov. Please note: The draft Strategic Plan does not include cost estimates for implementation. However, the IACC has formed a workgroup to advise the IACC about the budgetary requirements needed to fulfill the research objectives described in the draft Strategic Plan. The IACC will review the workgroup recommendations at its next meeting on November 21, 2008.

Response Due 9/19/08: Priorities for the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee Services Subcommittee for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) The IACC is interested in receiving your input and ideas about high-priority questions and issues surrounding services and supports to people with ASD of all ages, and specific research initiatives on ASD services and supports. Please see the official RFI notice NOT-MH-08-016 at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-MH-08-016.html for more information and instructions for responding by the deadline of September 19, 2008. Responses should be directed to iaccservices@mail.nih.gov

For more information about the IACC, please see http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/recurring-meetings/iacc/index.shtml

Words Have Power

The video shown below is a public service announcement produced by Christschool for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. It addresses the hate speech used in the movie Tropic Thunder.

Group Blog for Ohio Chapters

Ohio currently has two active local chapters of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network: the Central Ohio chapter (Columbus area) and the Southwest Ohio chapter (Cincinnati-Dayton area).

A Northeast Ohio chapter is under discussion.

This blog will address issues of statewide, national, and international interest. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to bring any matters to our attention. We can be reached at asanohio AT hotmail DOT com.