04/19/2025
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been asked professionally about what’s going on in politics with the discussion about autism. After some contemplative thought:
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Autism: Are We Still Missing the Root Causes?
In recent years, there’s been a dramatic increase in autism diagnoses—but are we asking why often enough?
Yes, we have better awareness. Yes, testing and diagnostic tools have improved. But a pivotal study led by Dr. Irva Hertz-Picciotto at UC Davis—commissioned by the State of California—found that these factors only account for about 50% of the rise in autism cases. The study concluded that the remaining increase cannot be explained by changes in diagnostic criteria or population shifts.
Read more here
That leaves a major unanswered question: What’s driving the other half?
As an audiologist who specializes in the treatment of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), neurodivergent conditions are not just a clinical focus—they’re a passion of mine. I see firsthand the unique challenges and strengths in this population, and I believe we owe it to these individuals and their families to keep searching for deeper answers.
We need to move beyond surface-level explanations. Environmental exposures, metabolic health, inflammation, maternal and fetal health, immune dysfunction—these are just some of the factors that deserve serious, unbiased investigation.
It’s also time to give pause and really consider what Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is trying to bring to the forefront. Whether you agree with him or not, I encourage you to read his full message in context—not just the social media soundbites designed to provoke. Complex issues like autism and neurodevelopment demand nuance, not knee-jerk reactions.
Let’s take a step back and not let political divisiveness blind us to the big picture. This is about science, health, and families—not parties or personalities.
Autism is not just a statistical trend—it’s a complex condition affecting real lives. Let’s stay curious. Let’s ask the hard questions. And let’s keep pushing for answers.
