World Autism Day 2026
Where we have been – What comes next
presented by the
National Autism Association
Featuring:
Dr. Sylvia Fogel with Wendy Fournier
A candid discussion on the current state of Autism with our guest Dr. Sylvia Fogel, newly appointed Chairperson of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). The IACC is a federal advisory committee that coordinates autism-related activities across federal agencies and provides advice to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It focuses on enhancing research, services, and policies to improve the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum. Dr. Fogel’s bio and video timestamps are below.
01:49 Advancements in Understanding Autism
04:53 Challenges in Translating Research into Treatment
07:41 The Role of Diet and Nutrition in Autism
10:30 Cohort-Based Research and Its Importance
13:01 The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Overview
15:57 Addressing the Needs of Profound Autism
18:45 The Impact of Caregiving Stress
21:30 Future Directions for IACC and Autism Advocacy
37:58 Understanding Diverse Needs in the Autism Community
40:32 Advocacy and Safety Concerns for Families
44:31 Addressing Wandering and Safety Issues
45:49 The Impact of Recent Press Conferences on Autism Awareness
46:50 Exploring Environmental Risk Factors and Treatments
54:12 Navigating Controversies in Autism Treatment
01:02:52 The Future of Autism Research and Advocacy
Dr. Fogel is a psychiatrist and Chair of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). She graduated from Weill Cornell Medical College and completed her residency at Columbia University, where she also trained in psychoanalytic medicine. She has taught and supervised medical trainees at Columbia and the MGH McLean Psychiatry Residency Program.
Her work integrates traditional psychiatry with functional and complementary approaches, including trauma-informed care, nutrition, and metabolic health. Dr. Fogel focuses on the connection between body systems and brain function, with particular interest in neuroimmune conditions such as PANS/PANDAS and regressive autism.