This week, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), the federal committee that shapes national autism research and policy priorities, released a 336-page draft Strategic Plan for 2026–2028.
Public comment closes this Friday, July 24 at 5 PM ET.
The plan itself names an important reality: "when support is delayed or difficult to access, the burden doesn't disappear, it shifts to the family." A four-day window on a 336-page document places that same weight on caregivers who are already carrying a full load.
We're asking the IACC to extend the comment period by 90 days. This would provide an opportunity for caregivers, self-advocates, and professionals to read this fully and respond with the care it deserves.
Here's how you can help:
Submit a public comment requesting that the public comment on the strategic plan be extended to 90 days. This is a reasonable amount of time and reflects the realities of caregivers of people with profound autism who deserve an opportunity to engage. Adding a line or two about your personal experiences as a caregiver if applicable would make this request even more compelling.
The IACC requests the public comment be emailed to
IACCPublicInquiries@mail.nih.gov.
Please forward this to others, asking them to send a quick email too. The more voices weighing in on this, the better. Thank you for taking time to take action.
