Federal Autism Committee, Reconstituted Under RFK Jr., Votes to Redefine 'Profound Autism' in First Meeting Since Overhaul

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee convened its first meeting in 19 months on Tuesday, weeks after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced most of its scientific experts with advocates aligned with his contested views on autism causation. The reconstituted federal body, which directs hundreds of millions in research funding, immediately moved to vote on proposals reshaping how the government defines and supports autistic people with the highest support needs.

The committee voted to recommend redefining the scientific category of "profound autism," a change that could alter how federal resources are allocated and which populations receive priority attention. Under the previous composition, the IACC operated with a broader research mandate informed by mainstream scientific consensus. The current membership structure, shaped by Kennedy's leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services, reflects a significant shift toward voices that have promoted alternative theories about environmental and vaccine-related factors in autism prevalence.

The restructuring has drawn scrutiny from researchers and advocates who question whether the new committee can maintain scientific independence. The IACC historically served as a coordination body across federal agencies, helping set the national research agenda for autism spectrum disorder. Its decisions influence grant funding priorities and policy guidance across multiple departments. Kennedy has publicly questioned established research on the condition and suggested links to environmental exposures that mainstream science has not substantiated. The outcome of Tuesday's votes signals how federal autism policy may be reshaped under the current administration.