Federal regulators are looking for insight from people with autism and their families as they consider the need for new drug treatments to address the developmental disorder.

In a notice set to appear in the Federal Register next week, the Food and Drug Administration says it will host a public meeting this spring focused on autism.

“The public meeting is intended to allow FDA to obtain patient perspectives on the impact of autism on daily life as well as patient views on treatment approaches for autism,” the notice reads.

Autism is one of at least 20 diagnoses that the FDA said it intends to seek input on. Meetings will be held for each condition in order to discuss “its impact on patients’ daily lives, the types of treatment benefit that matter most to patients, and patients’ perspectives on the adequacy of the available therapies,” the agency said.

The FDA has approved a few drugs — including risperidone and aripiprazole — to address irritability in those on the spectrum. Otherwise, the agency indicated, treatments are largely limited to behavioral and educational interventions.

In soliciting feedback from those affected by autism, the agency said it is hoping to learn about unmet needs and gain a better understanding of how families go about selecting treatments.

The meeting will be held May 4 at the FDA White Oak Campus in Silver Spring, Md. and will be live-streamed online.

In addition, the FDA is soliciting public comments on the issue through July 5.

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