Recent developments in autism research and advocacy reveal significant trends in diagnosis rates, genetic discoveries, potential treatments, and evolving perspectives on communication and comorbidities.
Rising Autism Prevalence in the U.S.
1. Rising Autism Prevalence in the U.S.
The CDC’s 2022 data shows that 1 in 31 children (3.2%) in the U.S. are diagnosed with autism by age 8—a rise from 1 in 36 (2.7%) in 2020 (cdc.gov). Findings vary across regions, from 1 in 103 in Laredo, TX, to 1 in 19 in California (wsj.com). Experts attribute much of the increase to improved screening and diagnostic practices rather than a true jump in incidence (washingtonpost.com).
2. New Genetic Insights
- A study published in Science revealed that paternally inherited structural variants in noncoding DNA regions contribute to autism risk (science.org).
- Another study highlighted 2,588 tandem repeat expansions (TREs)—like those in the DMPK gene—as significantly more common in individuals with ASD, pointing to a role for TREs in autism biology (neurosciencenews.com).
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3. Potential Treatment Breakthrough: L1‑79
At INSAR 2025, Yamo Pharma presented Phase 2 results for L1‑79, a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor targeting catecholamine pathways. The trial showed a 7.94‑point improvement over placebo on the Vineland‑3 Socialization Scale (p = 0.01) among adolescents and young adults—twice the minimal clinically important difference (trial.medpath.com). No serious adverse events were reported, and Yamo plans a Phase 3 trial.
4. Challenging Communication Stereotypes
Recent findings challenge the stereotype that autistic individuals have poorer communication skills. The study suggests no significant difference in communication quality between autistic and non-autistic pairs, reinforcing the “double empathy problem” framework—communication breakdowns are mutual, not one-sided.
5. Sex Differences in Diagnosis
While boys are still diagnosed more frequently, with a ratio of roughly 3.4 boys to every girl, research shows no significant difference in core autistic traits between males and females at diagnosis, particularly in toddlers (trial.medpath.com, publichealth.jhu.edu). This suggests diagnostic biases may delay recognition in girls.
6. Autism and Risk of Dementia
A JAMA Network Open study of over 114,000 autistic adults found 35% of those aged 64+ without intellectual disability and 31% of those with it had dementia—vs. ~1% in the general elderly population (autismspeaks.org). Co-occurring conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, depression) and systemic barriers to care were thought to contribute.
7. Advocacy and Funding Efforts
Advocacy groups—including Autism Speaks, Autism Science Foundation, and ASAN—are pushing for more federal funding. In 2024, the U.S. invested over $400 million in autism research and support programs through the NIH and CDC. Priorities include early intervention, inclusive education, adult employment supports, and aging-related care.
Summary
- Prevalence: 1 in 31 U.S. children now diagnosed by age 8; increase due to better detection.
- Genetics: New data linking TREs and noncoding variants to ASD risk.
- Treatment: L1‑79 shows promising Phase 2 results targeting core social deficits.
- Communication: Evidence supports a more nuanced, mutual understanding of social interaction.
- Sex and Diagnosis: Similar traits in boys and girls at diagnosis—bias still present.
- Aging: Elevated dementia risk among autistic older adults urges lifespan-oriented care.
- Advocacy: Growing funding emphasizes early support, neurodiversity inclusion, and adult services.
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