Tangle PREVIEW - The Friday Edition: Ari Weitzman talks with Jill Escher
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Jan 3, 2025 Jill Escher, an autism research philanthropist and mother to two children with nonverbal autism, shares her journey from novice to advocate in autism research. She highlights the alarming rise in autism prevalence and critiques current research methodologies. Escher discusses the need for innovative funding and exploration of non-genetic factors like environmental exposures. The conversation delves into societal perceptions of autism, urging a balance between acceptance and the urgency to find effective answers.
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Personal Journey into Autism Research
- Jill Escher's involvement in autism research began with her children's diagnoses.
- Both her son and daughter were diagnosed with nonverbal autism.
Dramatic Increase in Autism Prevalence
- Autism prevalence has increased drastically since the mid-20th century.
- Early figures were around 0.05%, but have climbed to approximately 3% today.
Overdiagnosis Not the Primary Driver
- Increased autism diagnoses are not solely due to overdiagnosis or shifting diagnostic criteria.
- Objective measurements show real increases across various tracking systems.