Description of Collaborative Activity: |
The Federal Interagency Workgroup on Autism Spectrum Disorders (FIWA) is composed of representatives from departments and agencies across the U.S. Government, who voluntarily meet to coordinate research, services, and support activities related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The FIWA was first convened as an interagency workgroup to address requirements of the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2014 (PL 113-157), and subsequently continues to meet to address the requirements of the Autism CARES Act of 2019 (PL 116-60). The Autism CARES Act of 2014 required that the Secretary of Health and Human Services designate a National Autism Coordinator to oversee national ASD research, service, and support activities, and prevent unnecessary duplication of effort, in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and Education. The Autism CARES Act of 2019 also required that this coordination of activities take into account the Strategic Plan developed by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee and requested a Report to Congress concerning the Health and Wellbeing of Individuals with ASD, published September 2021. Following Dr. Ann Wagner's retirement from federal service on July 2021, Dr. Susan Daniels assumed the role of Acting National Autism Coordinator. |
Type of Collaborative Activity: |
Committee, Advisory Group, or Work Group
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NIH Participating Institutes/Centers/Office of the Director: |
NHGRI, NICHD, NINDS, NIDCD, NIEHS |
HHS Agency Collaborators on this Activity: |
ACL, AHRQ, CDC, CMS, HRSA, IHS, SAMHSA, ASPE, ACF |
