Longtime autism researcher and clinical psychologist Walter Zahorodny is one of the experts advising Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. following an alarming new report. Kennedy and Zahorodny participated in a press conference in Washington D.C. to discuss concerning data published in a new Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network survey. The prevalence of autism in the United States has increased from 1 in 36 children to 1 in 31, which is being described as a critical public health crisis that is currently under investigation. The new report surveyed children aged 8 and born in 2014 across 16 U.S. sites, indicating an increase 4.8 times higher than 22 years ago.
Zahorodny, who is an associate professor of pediatrics at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and directed the New Jersey portion of the ADDM study, called the results “consistent, broad and startling.” He highlighted the significant increase in autism prevalence over the years, mentioning greater awareness of autism and increased testing and screening by health care professionals as possible factors driving this increase. Zahorodny has been working with ASD patients and their families for decades, collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to facilitate diagnoses and interventions.
Zahorodny expressed his concern about the rising prevalence of autism and emphasized the need to treat it as a public health phenomenon and an urgent crisis. He stressed that autism is a real disability, not just a personality quirk, and that it has lifelong consequences. Data shows upticks in several states within the CDC network, as well as federal statistics and various surveys, indicating a significant rise in autism prevalence. Zahorodny fears that future reports will show even higher rates, suggesting the need for urgent action to understand the causes of autism and effectively prevent or treat it.
Both Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the HHS have vowed to work with President Donald Trump to reduce autism cases. Kennedy has spoken out about the severity of the autism epidemic, stating that it is a thousand times more threatening to the country than COVID-19 and emphasizing the need to identify the underlying causes. The Autism Society has also commented on the rise in prevalence, attributing it to factors such as increased awareness, improved screening, and advocacy efforts to support the autism community. Further collaboration and efforts are underway to address this pressing issue and reduce the impact of autism on individuals and families.
In conclusion, the sharp increase in autism prevalence in the United States is a cause for concern, prompting action from experts, policymakers, and advocacy groups to address this public health crisis. The need for increased awareness, better screening and diagnostics, and efforts to understand and prevent autism are key priorities moving forward. With collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and government agencies, there is hope for improving outcomes and supporting individuals and families affected by autism. It is essential to prioritize research, intervention, and support services to address the growing challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder.
