2022 Summary of Advances in Autism Research

Each year, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) releases a list of scientific advances that represent significant progress in the field of autism research. The "Summary of Advances" provides short, plain language summaries of the top research breakthroughs selected by the IACC from a pool of research articles nominated by the members. The 20 studies selected for 2022 provide new insight into social communication and language, early intervention services, and co-occurring conditions across the lifespan. The advances also include studies that investigated telehealth diagnostic interventions adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, genetic factors associated in brain development, and updated estimates for the number of children receiving early identification across demographic groups and with or without co-occurring intellectual disability. Articles in this document are grouped according to the topics represented by the seven Questions of the "IACC Strategic Plan." Citations for the selected articles as well as a complete listing of those nominated are included at the end of the document.