Accession Number:

AD1105980

Title:

FEDERAL AUTISM ACTIVITIES: Better Data and More Coordination Needed to Help Avoid the Potential for Unnecessary Duplication

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC WASHINGTON DC United States

Personal Author(s):

• Crosse,Marcia
• Redican-Bigott,Geri
• Brown,Deirdre
• George,Sandra
• Koester,Kristin H.
• Hicks,Giselle
• Long,Drew
• Resavy,Sarah

Report Date:

2013-11-01

Pagination or Media Count:

94.0

Abstract:

Autisma developmental disorder involving communication and social impairmentis an important public health concern. From fiscal years 2008 through 2012, 12 federal agencies awarded at least 1.4 billion to support autism research and other autism-related activities. The CAA directed the IACC to coordinate HHS autism activities and monitor all federal autism activities. It also required the IACC to develop and annually update a strategic plan for autism research. This plan is organized into 7 research areas that contain specific objectives. GAO was asked to examine federal autism efforts. In this report, GAO 1 analyzes the extent to which federal agencies fund potentially duplicative autism research, and 2 assesses the extent to which IACC and agencies coordinate and monitor federal autism activities. GAO analyzed agencies data and documents, and interviewed federal agency officials and select nonfederal IACC members.

Descriptors:

• intellectual disability
• students
• health services
• biomedical research
• therapy
• public health
• health services administration
• rehabilitation
• health care
• genetics
• teamwork
• law

Subject Categories:

• Medicine and Medical Research
• Personnel Management and Labor Relations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE