Autism Speaks national board member Dr. Tom Frazier appointed to federal autism committee

September 27, 2023

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that Thomas W. Frazier, Ph.D., member of the Autism Speaks Board of Directors, has been appointed as one of two new members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), an advisory group on federal autism activities. He will serve alongside other public stakeholders as well as federal committee members from key agencies and departments to 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 across the spectrum and of all ages,” said Dr. Frazier. “I look forward to working to ensure that the committee’s strategic plan goals and research activities are aligned with the current and future needs of the autism community.”

Dr. Frazier is a clinical psychologist and autism researcher on the faculty at John Carroll University and Executive Vice President for Virtual & Clinical Care, Quadrant Biosciences, a molecular diagnostics company focused on neurological disorders and other health conditions. Prior to joining the organization’s national Board of Directors, Dr. Frazier previously served as Chief Science Officer of Autism Speaks from 2017-2020 where he was responsible for overseeing all science initiatives, including the MSSNG genomic research project and the Autism Care Network. As a clinical psychologist, he has been involved for more than 17 years in evaluation, treatment and research with a focus on improving autism identification; new treatment approaches; creating and refining measures of autism symptoms, translational genetic studies; and quality of life in people with autism and their families. Dr. Frazier has published more than 130 peer-reviewed papers and numerous conference presentations. In addition to his professional expertise, one of his two children is also diagnosed with autism.

“With a career at the forefront of autism care and research, Dr. Frazier is uniquely suited to serve the IACC’s goals to provide advice on federal autism activities, facilitate the exchange of autism information, and improve the coordination of autism activities,” said Autism Speaks President & CEO Keith Wargo. “We are proud of his history of leadership in advancing solutions for individuals across the spectrum and of all ages and are confident in the expertise he brings with him to this new position.”

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra selected two new members to fill vacancies on the IACC. In addition to Dr. Frazier, Camille Proctor, Founder and Executive Director of the Color of Autism Foundation and parent of a child on the autism spectrum was also appointed. Ms. Proctor and Dr. Frazier were chosen from the original pool of nominations received during an open call for IACC nominations in 2019. The newly appointed members will serve on the Committee until the expiration of the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2019 in September 2024.

The Committee's responsibilities include developing and annually updating the IACC Strategic Plan, preparing an annual Summary of Advances in Autism Research, as well as formulating advice and recommendations for the HHS Secretary on matters related to autism. In support of these activities, the IACC meets quarterly in a public forum to share community perspectives and concerns about autism and relevant issues. The committee’s next meeting will be held on October 11, 2023, and is open to the public. Click here to register.