The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D., vice president of services and supports at Autism Speaks, has been appointed as one of 20 new and two returning public members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), an advisory group on federal autism activities.
Along with federal members of the committee from key agencies and departments serving the autism community, the public IACC members give input and recommendations on autism research, services and policy priorities.
“The IACC plays a critical role in deciding where our federal priorities should lie in funding autism services and research to support autistic people of all ages,” said Dr. Paradiz. “I look forward to working with other members of the committee to ensure the committee’s strategic plan goals and research activities are aligned with the needs of the autism community.”
Dr. Paradiz, an expert in autism education and services as well as a renowned autistic advocate, joins the committee with new and returning members representing the most diverse committee makeup in its history, serving until 2024.
“We are excited to welcome the largest and most diverse IACC to date, with a wider representation of perspectives from across the autism community than ever before,” said Susan Daniels, Ph.D., IACC executive secretary.
