Home / Health / US Autism Research Funding to Nearly Double
US Autism Research Funding to Nearly Double
27 Aug
Summary
- Federal agencies may nearly double autism research funding.
- Plan prioritizes medical care, housing, and lifelong support.
- Higher investment aims to address profound autism needs.
The U.S. advisory committee on autism is proposing a significant increase in federal investment for research and support services. The plan suggests nearly doubling annual funding to $747.4 million from the current $390.4 million.
This strategic plan, developed by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), prioritizes enhancing medical care and lifelong support for autistic individuals. A key focus is on addressing the needs of those with profound autism, who have been historically underrepresented.
The proposed funding boost aims to tackle issues such as inadequate housing, caregiver support, and specialized medical treatments for conditions like gastrointestinal disorders and sleep disruption.
Additionally, the plan calls for federal efforts to estimate the prevalence of autistic adults, an area for which current data is lacking. This initiative seeks to move away from relying solely on unsupported families for care.
