Psychologist Led New Federal Autism Care Initiative
Experimental psychologist Russell Shilling has been tapped to lead a federal effort focused on improving autism care.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Autism
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Experimental psychologist Russell Shilling is spearheading a new federal initiative under ARPA-H aimed at advancing diagnosis and care for autism. Shilling brings a background in military mental health and digital innovation to the role.
Why it matters
This initiative signals a shift toward applying technological interventions to complex neurodevelopmental conditions like autism. It marks a push to integrate psychological expertise with federal health research to modernize diagnostic pathways and therapeutic support.
The initiative is led by an experimental psychologist whose background includes six years of work with Sesame Street and prior roles at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The efficacy of applying his previous military-focused digital tools to autism care remains under investigation.
The players
Russell Shilling
An experimental psychologist and former Navy veteran known for developing virtual reality therapy for PTSD and early mental health chatbot technology.
ARPA-H
A federal agency that accelerates better health outcomes by supporting high-risk, high-reward research and innovative healthcare initiatives.
The details
Shilling previously developed virtual reality therapy to assist Iraq War veterans managing PTSD and helped build early versions of mental health chatbots to destigmatize clinical care. These technologies function by creating controlled environments for therapeutic exposure or reducing the friction of seeking mental health support. The initiative aims to translate such frameworks into resources for the autism community, working from an office based in Fairfax, Virginia.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: The initiative's leadership was confirmed.
Health Landscape
This effort marks an expansion of ARPA-H into the specialized field of neurodevelopmental care. It contrasts with traditional, non-technological diagnostic standards by integrating digital therapy tools previously tested in military health environments.
Readers should monitor this initiative for potential updates on new diagnostic tools or digital support programs that may become available in clinical settings. Discuss any questions about evolving care standards or available digital therapies with your primary physician or a neurodevelopmental specialist.
The takeaway
This federal move underscores a growing trend toward using adaptive technologies to address neurodevelopmental needs. Families and patients can watch for future developments regarding how these digital innovations are applied to standard autism screenings and support services.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research and support strategies in our Autism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by STAT.
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