[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 88931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28425]



[[Page 88931]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Request for Public Comments on Co-Occurring Conditions in Autism

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, HHS.

ACTION: Request for Information.

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SUMMARY: On behalf of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee 
(IACC), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Office of 
National Autism Coordination (ONAC) is seeking public comments to 
assist the IACC in identifying priorities related to physical and 
mental health conditions, and other related conditions that commonly 
co-occur with autism. The IACC is requesting public comments on the 
impact of these co-occurring conditions, as well as research, services, 
and policy needs that may be helpful to consider in addressing issues 
related to these conditions.

DATES: Responses to this notice are voluntary and the public comment 
period will be open from January 3, 2024, through February 14, 2024.

ADDRESSES: All comments must be submitted electronically via the web-
based form at: https://iacc.hhs.gov/meetings/public-comments/requests-for-information/2023/co-occurring-conditions.shtml.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Specific questions about this Request 
for Public Comment should be directed to: Ana Cappuccio by phone at 
301-402-4837 or email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IACC http://www.iacc.hhs.gov/ is a 
federal advisory committee composed of federal and public members that 
provides advice to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on autism 
spectrum disorder. The Committee is authorized under the Autism CARES 
Act of 2019, Public Law 116-60. The 2021-2023 IACC Strategic Plan for 
Autism Research, Services, and Policy at https://iacc.hhs.gov/publications/strategic-plan/2023/ provides an overview of priorities 
identified by the IACC to improve health and well-being for autistic 
individuals and their families.
    The Committee seeks public comment on the following questions 
related to the impact of co-occurring physical and mental health 
conditions:
    1. What are the most significant challenges caused by co-occurring 
physical health conditions in autistic people? (Examples of co-
occurring physical health conditions: gastrointestinal disorders, sleep 
disturbances, epilepsy, sensory and motor challenges)
    2. What are the most significant challenges caused by co-occurring 
mental health conditions in autistic people? (Examples of mental health 
co-occurring conditions: depression, anxiety, aggressive or self-
injurious behavior, suicidality)
    3. What are the most significant challenges caused by other 
conditions that co-occur with autism, such as learning disabilities, 
developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and 
communication disabilities?
    4. What additional research is needed to help address co-occurring 
conditions for autistic people?
    5. What could be improved in autism services and supports to help 
address co-occurring conditions for autistic people? (Examples: 
Equitable access to and accessibility of services, insurance coverage, 
service systems issues, patient-provider interactions)
    6. What lasting impact has COVID-19 infection and illness had on 
co-occurring physical and/or mental health conditions for autistic 
people?
    7. What lasting positive or negative impacts have societal changes 
due to the COVID-19 pandemic had on physical or mental health for 
autistic people? (Examples of societal changes: disruptions in 
services, increased remote work and school, increased use of 
telehealth, reduced in-person social interactions and obligations)
    Feedback provided in this RFI may be used by the IACC to inform 
future activities and reports.
    Submission Information: For each topic/question in the Request for 
Public Comment, commenters may provide input on what they consider to 
be the most important research, services, and policy issues and 
remaining gaps in the subject area covered by that question.
    Please note that the web form will accept a maximum of 1,500 
characters (including letters, numbers, punctuation, etc.) per topic 
area. A valid email address is required for submission, and only one 
submission per email address will be accepted. If duplicate submissions 
are received (i.e., form letters), only one example of such a 
submission will be included in the final set of comments.
    The information that commenters provide will become part of the 
public record; as such, please do not include any personally 
identifiable or confidential information in the comments. The web form 
will provide the option of submitting responses anonymously, or the 
choice to include a name and/or organization associated with the 
comment.
    Comments are subject to redaction in accordance with federal 
policies and the IACC's public comment guidelines and privacy policy. 
To view the IACC's public comment guidelines and privacy policy, visit: 
https://iacc.hhs.gov/meetings/public-comments/guidelines/. All comments 
or summaries of comments received will be made publicly available on 
the IACC website www.iacc.hhs.gov within 90 days of the closing 
deadline for this notice. Email addresses associated with comments will 
not be included as part of the public disclosure. After the closing 
deadline, responses cannot be edited or withdrawn. No basis for claims 
against the U.S. Government shall arise as a result of a response to 
this request for information or from the Government's use of such 
information.
    Instructions: All comments must be submitted through the web form 
at https://iacc.hhs.gov/meetings/public-comments/requests-for-information/2023/co-occurring-conditions.shtml. Individuals submitting 
comments will receive an onscreen confirmation acknowledging receipt of 
the comment, but commenters will not receive individualized responses 
or feedback from the IACC or ONAC except in the cases of requests for 
technical assistance with the web form, etc. Only one comment per email 
address will be accepted, and if duplicate comments are received, only 
one example will be provided to the IACC.

    Dated: December 20, 2023.
Susan A. Daniels,
Director, Office of National Autism Coordination, National Institute of 
Mental Health.
[FR Doc. 2023-28425 Filed 12-22-23; 8:45 am]
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