Request for Information on Autism Research

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Request for Information (RFI): Research Priorities for the Interagency

Autism Coordinating

Committee Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Notice Number: NOT-MH-08-003

Key Dates

Release Date: December 19, 2007

Response Date: January 4, 2008

Issued by

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, (_http://www.nimh.nih.gov_

(http://www.nimh.nih.gov/) )

Description

The purpose of this time-sensitive RFI is to seek input from ASD

stakeholders such as individuals with ASD and their families, autism advocates,

scientists, health professionals, therapists, educators, state and local

programs for

ASD, and the public at large about what they consider to be high-priority

research questions.

Background

The Combating Autism Act of 2006 (_Public Law 109-416_

(http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_public_laws & \

docid=f:publ416.109

..pdf) ) re-established the_ Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee

(IACC)_

(http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/recurring-meetings\

/iacc/index.shtml) and requires that the IACC develop a strategic plan

for ASD research. The IACC includes both Federal and public members who are

active in the area of ASD research funding, services, or advocacy. In its

inaugural meeting on November 30, 2007, the IACC approved a process for

developing the strategic plan that includes multiple opportunities for

stakeholder

input. This RFI is a first step in receiving broad input at the beginning

stages

of plan development.

To identify research priorities for possible inclusion in the strategic plan

for ASD research, the IACC will convene several scientific workshops in

January 2008. The responses received through this RFI will be collated,

summarized, and provided to workshop participants. The scientific workshops

will be

organized around four broad areas of ASD research:

• Treatment – includes ASD treatment, intervention, and services

research that aim to reduce symptoms, promote development, and improve outcomes.

This area includes the development and evaluation of medical, behavioral,

educational, and complementary interventions for ASD. In addition, this area

includes research studies that evaluate the effectiveness of treatments in real

world settings, disparities in ASD treatment among specific subpopulations,

practice patterns in ASD programs and services, and their cost-effectiveness.

• Diagnosis – is concerned with the accurate and valid description of

ASD (phenotype) both at the individual and the population level. The public

health impact of ASD can be better understood by such studies. In addition, this

area concerns itself with the diversity of what constitutes ASD and the

characteristics of the condition over the lifespan.

• Risk Factors – has to do with investigations of the factors that

contribute to the risk of having an ASD in a given person or population. This

includes genetic studies of clusters or sporadic occurrences of ASD, studies

that focus on environmental factors, e.g., intrauterine events or exposure to

toxins, which could lead to ASD, and the interaction between these factors that

concentrate risk for ASD.

• Biology –studies the underlying biological processes that lead to

developmental and medical problems associated with ASD. This includes research

in the area of neurosciences but does not confine itself to neurosciences.

Therefore, research on other organ systems, interactions between organ systems,

and/or other disease processes are included in this area.

The development of the strategic plan is expected to take approximately six

months and will include several additional opportunities for public input.

Information Requested

We are interested in receiving your input and ideas about what are

high-priority questions and issues for advancing research on ASD. We ask for

your

constructive and specific suggestions in the following areas (please refer to

the above descriptions for each area).

What topics or issues need to be addressed to advance research on the:

1. Treatment of ASD?

2. Diagnosis of ASD?

3. Risk factors for ASD?

4. Biology of ASD?

5. Other areas of ASD research?

Responses

Please send responses to_ iacc@..._ (mailto:iacc@...) no

later than January 4, 2008.

Please limit your response to two pages and mark it with this RFI identifier

NOT-MH-08-103 in the subject line. The responses received through this RFI

will be collated, summarized, and provided to scientific workshop

participants in January 2008. Summarized results will also be made available

to the

public. Any proprietary information should be so marked. Respondents will

receive an email confirmation acknowledging receipt of their response, but will

not

receive individualized feedback.

Inquiries

Inquiries regarding this notice may be directed to:

Diane Buckley

Office of the Director

National Institute of Mental Health

6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8235, MSC 9669

Bethesda, MD 20892-9669

Telephone: 301-443-1220

FAX: 301-480-4415

Email: _ buckleyd@..._ (mailto:buckleyd@...)