Autism Science Foundation condemns RFK Jr.’s purge of coordinating committee

Replacing scientists with anti-vaxxers will not help families or individuals

Autism Science Foundation

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a complete reconstitution of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), appointing 21 new members while excluding the scientific and advocacy leadership that has historically guided the committee.

The IACC, created through the efforts of the broad autism community’s work with Congress and sustained for more than two decades by the dedicated service of leading scientists, advocates, and public servants, has been fundamentally compromised. 

The current committee has been hijacked by a narrow ideological agenda that does not reflect either the autism community or the state of autism science. 

By sidelining rigorous, evidence-based inquiry, this shift will stall scientific progress, distort research priorities, and ultimately harm people with autism and all who love and support them.