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Please enjoy OARC’s quarterly newsletter, which includes an update on IACC activities, recent events, news, and publications.

Autism Meetings & Events

  
 
  The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Logo empty space IACC Full Committee Meeting
The first meeting of the new Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee will take place July 21-22, 2021. This meeting will be virtual. 		 
 
 
 
  International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Logo empty space INSAR Summer Webinar Series
The theme of this year’s INSAR Summer Institute is Autism and Intersectionality. The series focuses on understanding autism research and autistic people’s experiences across multiple identities and groups. 		 
 
 
 
   
News & Blogs
  
 
  Members of the IACC sitting around table during meeting empty space HHS Announces Appointment of New Members to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the appointments of new and returning members to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). This is the largest and most diverse IACC to date. 		 
 
 
 
  Susan Daniels empty space Acting National Autism Coordinator Named
Susan A. Daniels, Ph.D., was designated to serve as Acting National Autism Coordinator on July 1, 2021 following the retirement of Ann E. Wagner, Ph.D., from federal service. Dr. Daniels will concurrently continue to serve as the Director of the Office of Autism Research Coordination and Executive Secretary of the IACC. 		 
 
 
 
  National Institute of Health (NIH) logo empty space Media Advisory: Prototype App for Mobile Devices Could Screen Children at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder
A mobile app developed by researchers at the NIH Autism Center of Excellence at Duke University can distinguish between toddlers diagnosed with ASD and typically developing toddlers. Researchers recorded the children’s gaze patterns and measured them using computer vision and machine learning analysis. 		 
 
 
 
  Administration for Community Living (ACL) Logo empty space HHS Launches Hotline to Improve Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the launch of a national hotline to connect people with disabilities to information and services to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines. The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) can help people with disabilities find vaccination locations in their communities, assist callers with making vaccination appointments, connect callers to transportation services, and more. DIAL is operated as a collaboration between a consortium of organizations serving people with disabilities and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. 		 
 
 
 
  Autism Speaks Logo empty space Autism Speaks launches Autism Care Network to improve autism care across North America
Autism Speaks launched the new Autism Care Network in April, the first learning health network of its kind focused on transforming care for people on the autism spectrum and their families. The partnership includes 20 autism centers in North America. The Autism Care Network is supported by Autism Speaks, Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P), the J. Donald and Laurelle Lee Family Foundation, and the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet). 		 
 
 
 
  Food and Drug Administration empty space FDA Authorizes Marketing of Diagnostic Aid for Autism Spectrum Disorder
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the marketing of a new device that can help diagnose autism in children 18 months through 5 years. The Cognoa ASD Diagnosis Aid, which will be branded Canvas Dx, is a machine learning-based software that analyzes data provided by parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers. It has three main components: a mobile app for caregivers and parents, a health care provider portal, and a video analysis portal. 		 
 
 
 
   
Publications & Reports
  
 
  Autism Speaks Logo empty space COVID-19 and Autism: Impact on Needs, Health and Healthcare Costs
This Special Report highlights the impact of COVID-19 on the autism community. The report analyzes data collected from the Autism Response team, responses to needs assessment surveys, and data on private health insurance claims. 		 
 
 
 
  Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion Logo empty space Disability-Inclusive COVID-19 Workplace Health and Safety Plans
Workers with disabilities play a critical role in ensuring smooth day-to-day business operations. However, COVID-19 has made clear the need to close identity-based health disparities and protect workers at higher risk of infection. This policy brief presents some best practices to ensure the security of personal information and also discusses rights and regulations meant to protect workers with disabilities. 		 
 
 
 
  International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Logo empty space Autism Community Priorities for Suicide Prevention
Recent studies have suggested that autistic individuals are at a significantly higher risk for suicide than the general population, though the reasons for this are not fully understood. This policy brief, prepared by an international group of autism researchers, research funders, community stakeholders, and policy professionals, outlines the issue and a list of priorities for policy, clinical practice, and research on autism and suicide, with the goal of prevention. The same group also issued a more detailed report aimed at researchers and funders.