On April 18 and 19, 2007, the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM’s) Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders, in response to a request from the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, hosted a workshop called “Autism and the Environment: Challenges and Opportunities for Research.” The goal of the workshop was to provide a venue to bring together scientists, members of the autism community, and the major sponsors of autism-related research to discuss the most promising scientific opportunities. The focus was on improving the understanding of the ways in which environmental factors such as chemicals, infectious agents, or physiological or psychological stress can affect the development of the brain. In addition, discussions addressed the infrastructure needs for pursuing the identified research opportunities—tools, technologies, and partnerships.

The publication of the workshop proceedings provides the Forum with a broader mechanism to inform not only the membership of the Forum, but also other interested parties about what transpired at the workshop. The workshop proceedings should not be confused with a National Academies consensus report. The proceedings do not contain findings or recommendations endorsed by The National Academies or the IOM, the Neuroscience Forum, or the Planning Committee. Opinions and statements included in the proceedings are solely those of the individual persons or participants at the workshop, and are not necessarily adopted, endorsed, or verified as accurate by The National Academies.