One of the new members, John Gilmore, told The Defender that the committee's "first order of business" is to "answer the many unanswered questions about autism."

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) provides "advice and recommendations" to Kennedy on federal activities related to autism. The committee helps increase public awareness of those activities, including federal policies and government-funded research.

Dr. Sylvia Fogel, an assistant in psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, instructor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and mother of a son with autism, will chair the committee, The Defender has learned.

Other new members of the IACC include:

Lisa Ackerman, co-founder of The Autism Community in Action.

Elizabeth Bonker, Executive Director of Communication 4 ALL, board member and Secretary of the Autism Society of Florida and a member of Autism Society's Council of Autistic Advisors. Bonker types to communicate.

Laura Cellini, lead coordinator and website editor for the Autism Innovation Coalition.

Krystal Higgins, Executive Director of the National Autism Association.

Daniel Keely, an autistic high school senior with a strong interest in aerospace engineering and aircraft design.

Caden Larson, a nonspeaking autistic man and board member of Children with Autism Deserve Education.

Elena Monarch, Ph.D., CEO and neuropsychologist of the Lyme and PANS Treatment Center.

Dr. Elizabeth Mumper, a pediatrician, and founder and CEO of the Rimland Center for Integrative Medicine.

Bill Oldham, founder of Autism First, a family support and therapy organization for autistic children, and of the Thought Leadership and Innovation Foundation.

Jennifer Philips, founder of Make a Stand 4 Autism.

Honey Rinicella, executive director of the Medical Academy of Pediatric and Special Needs(MAPS).

John Rodakis, founder and President of N of One: Autism Research Foundation.

Toby Rogers, Ph.D., a fellow at the Brownstone Institute whose research focuses on regulatory capture and corruption in the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Daniel Rossignol, a board-certified family physician and Chief Medical Officer of the Autism Discovery and Treatment Foundation.

Tracy Slepcevic, organizer of the Autism Health Summit.

Katie Sweeney, Executive Support Manager for MAPS.

Ginger Taylor, former executive director of the Maine Center for Vaccine Choice.

Lisa Wiederlight, a Maryland-based advocate for autistic people and mother of a young adult with autism.

Walter Zahorodny, Ph.D., associate professor of pediatrics at Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School.

"It is wonderful news that there are now people on this committee who are truly motivated to solve many of the existential autism issues, including prevention, treatment, education, employment opportunities, long-term care and housing," said Mary Holland, Children's Health Defense CEO.

However, the new members held an initial orientation last week.

IACC's charter requires the committee to consist of at least three members who are autistic, three who are parents or legal guardians of someone on the spectrum, and at least three members who represent organizations active in autism advocacy, research or service.