Autism
Current estimates suggest that around 1 in 100 U.S. children have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. ASD is a complex developmental disability associated with a wide range of developmental issues, but the core symptoms are problems with social interactions and communication skills, as well as repetitive and stereotyped behaviors, such as hand flapping or twisting. Symptoms usually start before age three and can cause delays or problems that develop from infancy to adulthood. Many fundamental questions about the biology of ASD, potential risk factors, effective treatments and interventions, and impacts throughout life remain unanswered.

NIH used ARRA dollars for a surge in its commitment to finding the causes and treatments for autism. A large portion of the ARRA investment in ASD research is funding grants under the banner “Research to Address the Heterogeneity in Autism Spectrum Disorders.” The topics of interest correspond directly to short-term research objectives detailed in the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee’s (IACC’s) Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research (http://iacc.hhs.gov/reports/2009/iacc-strategic-plan-for-autism-spectrum-disorder-research-jan26.shtml) including developing and testing diagnostic screening tools for different populations, assessing risk from prenatal or early life exposures, initiating clinical trials to test early interventions, and adapting existing, effective pediatric treatments for older children, teens, and adults with ASD.

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