Latest news with #AndyShih
Associated Press
17-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
A New Era in Early Autism Support: LinusBio and Autism Speaks Partner to Promote Earlier Autism Diagnosis and Intervention
NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 17, 2025-- LinusBio, a leader in precision exposome medicine, and Autism Speaks, the leading research and advocacy organization dedicated to supporting the autism community, today announced a partnership to advance early autism diagnosis and intervention. As part of the collaboration, Autism Speaks will provide educational materials and resources to families concerned about autism, helping them better understand the potential of biomarker testing for earlier detection. To further support accessibility, Autism Speaks will also offer ClearStrand-ASD — LinusBio's innovative biomarker test — at a reduced cost to families in need. LinusBio will additionally support Autism Speaks' ongoing community initiatives. This joint effort will directly power two major Autism Speaks initiatives: The first is the Autism Response Team (ART) — Autism Speaks' frontline support system that connects the autism community to trusted information and resources. Through this partnership, ART will share educational materials about ClearStrand-ASD and provide exclusive discount codes, helping families access the latest advancements in biomarker testing for autism. The second initiative is the Empower Summit & Challenge — a series of two-day events launching this spring in five U.S. cities. These events bring together autistic individuals, families, service providers, and policymakers to address some of the most pressing issues facing the community. At each summit, LinusBio will host an interactive space within the resource fair, offering families a hands-on opportunity to learn more about the cutting-edge science behind ClearStrand-ASD and how it may support earlier diagnosis and intervention. 'Autism Speaks is the leading organization in the U.S. focused on research and advocacy to support the autism community, and we are proud to partner with them to advance improved outcomes through innovation,' said Dr. Manish Arora, founder and CEO at LinusBio. 'Together, we aim not only to raise awareness among families, healthcare providers, and clinicians about the benefits of biomarker testing for autism — and how it can support earlier diagnosis and intervention — but also to make a tangible, immediate impact for families currently seeking answers.' Early diagnosis and interventions are key to better long-term outcomes, but many families still encounter lengthy delays in accessing the diagnostic support they need. ClearStrand-ASD offers a powerful new tool to support healthcare providers and caregivers during a critical window — ages 1 month to 36 months — when early intervention may be most effective. This partnership marks a major milestone in connecting families to essential healthcare resources when they need them most. 'At Autism Speaks, we're committed to supporting innovative research that could lead to earlier identification and more personalized care for people with autism,' said Dr. Andy Shih, Chief Science Officer at Autism Speaks. 'Our collaboration with LinusBio is focused on evaluating a promising diagnostic technology through rigorous, community-based research. By supporting participation of patients and their families through educational information from our Autism Response Team, we hope to ensure the tool could benefit a large and diverse population so that it may one day improve access to earlier diagnosis for families in need.' 'For most of my life, I was misdiagnosed or dismissed. Getting an autism diagnosis as an adult finally gave me the answers I had been searching for,' said Victoria Handy, an Autism Speaks Champion of Change. 'That experience changed how I see myself — and how I support my daughter, who is also autistic. Every family deserves the chance to understand sooner. That's why partnerships like this one matter. Tools like ClearStrand-ASD can give parents a head start on what I didn't have: answers early enough to truly help make a difference.' ClearStrand-ASD must be ordered by a licensed health care provider. LinusBio enables caregivers to request the test from home through an independent telehealth provider. The test is intended for infants and toddlers who are at an elevated risk of autism, such as those who were born preterm, who have a sibling with autism, or who have demonstrated characteristics associated with autism. If the test does not detect the biomarker, it is unlikely the child has autism. If the test does find the biomarker, the child may need further professional evaluation. ClearStrand-ASD now available at About LinusBio LinusBio (Linus Biotechnology Inc.) is a patient-centric, breakthrough science precision exposome medicine company headquartered in North Brunswick, NJ. The Company's program pipeline comprises precision exposome medicine biomarkers and target discovery across disease domains for which historically no molecular endpoints have been available in medical practice or for clinical trials, including CNS (autism spectrum disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), gastroenterology (inflammatory bowel disease), renal disease and oncology. For more information, visit About Autism Speaks Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan. In response to the pressing needs of the 1 in 31 children and 1 in 45 adults with autism in the U.S. today, Autism Speaks provides resources and tools for autistic individuals of all ages and levels of support. Connecting millions of people with autism and their families to free services, supports, research, innovation and advances in care, the nonprofit serves as a convener for the autism community with the goal of making a real difference for all people on the autism spectrum. Learn more and join the movement by following @AutismSpeaks on social media. View source version on CONTACT: Media Contact: LinusBio Rachel Ford Hutman [email protected] 301-801-5540 KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA NEW JERSEY INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH NEUROLOGY OTHER SCIENCE RESEARCH SCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY SOURCE: Linus Biotechnology Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 04/17/2025 08:25 AM/DISC: 04/17/2025 08:25 AM
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
US autism rate continues to rise, CDC says, pointing to greater awareness and better screening
A new study from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the autism diagnosis rate has increased among US children, continuing a long-term trend that experts have largely attributed to better understanding of and screening for the condition. About 1 in every 31 children was diagnosed with autism by age 8 in 2022, up from 1 in 36 in 2020, according to the CDC report that published Tuesday. Rates varied widely by gender, race and geographic area. The US Department of Health and Human Services launched what it called a 'massive testing and research effort' last week with a goal to identify 'what has caused the autism epidemic' by September, but the new CDC report says that better diagnostic practices can help explain many of the recent findings. Improvements in early identification of autism 'have been apparent,' the authors of the CDC report wrote, and 'differences in the prevalence of children identified with [autism spectrum disorder] across communities might be due to differences in availability of services for early detection and evaluation and diagnostic practices.' Boys have consistently had higher rates of autism diagnosis than girls – in 2022, there was a 3.4-fold difference in rates among 8-year-olds, according to the new CDC report. While that ratio has started to narrow in recent years, the new report notes that it's not simply because of improvements in identification in girls. Autism diagnosis was also more common among Asian, Black and Hispanic children than it was among White children, a shift that was first identified in the most recent past report that captured trends for 8-year-olds in 2020. In recent years, diagnoses have also shifted to become less prevalent in wealthy neighborhoods than in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods. The reversal of these patterns is 'consistent with increased access to and provision of identification services among previously underserved groups,' CDC researchers said in the new report. But disparities persist in identifying autism in children who also have an intellectual disability. More than half of Black children diagnosed with autism at age 8 also had an intellectual disability, compared with less than a third of White children, the new report found. Experts say that the rise in autism rates reflects a positive trend. 'A lot has changed over the years, and this continued rise in prevalence reflects, in part, real progress: increased awareness, broader diagnostic criteria, and more consistent, standardized screening tools have all contributed to more children being identified earlier and more accurately – underscored the need for continued support and investment in the autism community,' Dr. Andy Shih, chief science officer for Autism Speaks, a nonprofit advocacy and research group, said in a statement. Shih and Autism Speaks were not involved in the new report. Dr. Kristin Sohl, who chairs of the autism subcommittee of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Council on Children with Disabilities, called the findings in the new report 'encouraging.' 'When children are identified early, appropriate supports and services can be tailored to help them, and their families thrive,' she said in a statement. 'Autistic children add value to our communities. Advocating for resources and funding to support autistic people across the lifespan is essential for a productive and healthy America.' The new study is based on surveillance data from 16 areas that participate in the CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. The data are not nationally representative and encompass a different set of sites than the last report with data from 2020, which only captured data from 11 sites. The CDC has also said that the Covid-19 pandemic led to 'sustained lower levels' of evaluations and identification of autism across most of the surveillance network. Prevalence has also been found to vary widely by location; In 2022, rates ranged from about 1 in every 19 children in California to 1 in every 103 children in Laredo, Texas. 'Research has not demonstrated that living in certain communities puts children at greater risk for developing (autism spectrum disorder),' CDC researchers wrote. Instead, the difference in prevalence is more likely due to differences in the services available and practices used for evaluation and detection. In California, where autism rates have consistently been highest, a local initiative has trained hundreds of pediatricians to 'screen and refer children for assessment as early as possible,' the new report notes. Insurance coverage can help improve early detection and diagnosis, the researchers say. In Pennsylvania, the site with the second highest autism prevalence, the state Medicaid policy covers children with disabilities regardless of their parents' income. CDC researchers say in the new report that there are additional limitations on tracking autism prevalence, including varying levels of data quality and completeness and differences in identifying intellectual disability in a child and clinically diagnosing it. 'While there are many factors driving these numbers, research shows that 60–90% of autism risk is rooted in genetics. Still, one thing is clear—this steady increase in prevalence calls for deeper, sustained investment in autism research, not only to understand its causes, but also to support the growing number of people diagnosed today,' Shih said in his statement. 'We must ensure that policies and budgets evolve to reflect this new reality. That means expanding access to early intervention, strengthening educational and healthcare systems, and providing supports that span a lifetime. This data is not just a number—it's a call to action.' CNN's Sarah Owermohle contributed to this report.
CNN
15-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
Autism rates in US rose in 2022, CDC data shows
A new study from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the autism diagnosis rate has increased among US children, continuing a long-term trend that experts have largely attributed to better understanding of and screening for the condition. About 1 in every 31 children was diagnosed with autism by age 8 in 2022, up from 1 in 36 in 2020, according to the CDC report that published Tuesday. Rates varied widely by gender, race and geographic area. The US Department of Health and Human Services launched what it called a 'massive testing and research effort' last week with a goal to identify 'what has caused the autism epidemic' by September, but the new CDC report says that better diagnostic practices can help explain many of the recent findings. Improvements in early identification of autism 'have been apparent,' the authors of the CDC report wrote, and 'differences in the prevalence of children identified with [autism spectrum disorder] across communities might be due to differences in availability of services for early detection and evaluation and diagnostic practices.' Boys have consistently had higher rates of autism diagnosis than girls – in 2022, there was a 3.4-fold difference in rates among 8-year-olds, according to the new CDC report. While that ratio has started to narrow in recent years, the new report notes that it's not simply because of improvements in identification in girls. Autism diagnosis was also more common among Asian, Black and Hispanic children than it was among White children, a shift that was first identified in the most recent past report that captured trends for 8-year-olds in 2020. In recent years, diagnoses have also shifted to become less prevalent in wealthy neighborhoods than in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods. The reversal of these patterns is 'consistent with increased access to and provision of identification services among previously underserved groups,' CDC researchers said in the new report. But disparities persist in identifying autism in children who also have an intellectual disability. More than half of Black children diagnosed with autism at age 8 also had an intellectual disability, compared with less than a third of White children, the new report found. Experts say that the rise in autism rates reflects a positive trend. 'A lot has changed over the years, and this continued rise in prevalence reflects, in part, real progress: increased awareness, broader diagnostic criteria, and more consistent, standardized screening tools have all contributed to more children being identified earlier and more accurately – underscored the need for continued support and investment in the autism community,' Dr. Andy Shih, chief science officer for Autism Speaks, a nonprofit advocacy and research group, said in a statement. Shih and Autism Speaks were not involved in the new report. Dr. Kristin Sohl, who chairs of the autism subcommittee of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Council on Children with Disabilities, called the findings in the new report 'encouraging.' 'When children are identified early, appropriate supports and services can be tailored to help them, and their families thrive,' she said in a statement. 'Autistic children add value to our communities. Advocating for resources and funding to support autistic people across the lifespan is essential for a productive and healthy America.' The new study is based on surveillance data from 16 areas that participate in the CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. The data are not nationally representative and encompass a different set of sites than the last report with data from 2020, which only captured data from 11 sites. The CDC has also said that the Covid-19 pandemic led to 'sustained lower levels' of evaluations and identification of autism across most of the surveillance network. Prevalence has also been found to vary widely by location; In 2022, rates ranged from about 1 in every 19 children in California to 1 in every 103 children in Laredo, Texas. 'Research has not demonstrated that living in certain communities puts children at greater risk for developing (autism spectrum disorder),' CDC researchers wrote. Instead, the difference in prevalence is more likely due to differences in the services available and practices used for evaluation and detection. In California, where autism rates have consistently been highest, a local initiative has trained hundreds of pediatricians to 'screen and refer children for assessment as early as possible,' the new report notes. Insurance coverage can help improve early detection and diagnosis, the researchers say. In Pennsylvania, the site with the second highest autism prevalence, the state Medicaid policy covers children with disabilities regardless of their parents' income. CDC researchers say in the new report that there are additional limitations on tracking autism prevalence, including varying levels of data quality and completeness and differences in identifying intellectual disability in a child and clinically diagnosing it. 'While there are many factors driving these numbers, research shows that 60–90% of autism risk is rooted in genetics. Still, one thing is clear—this steady increase in prevalence calls for deeper, sustained investment in autism research, not only to understand its causes, but also to support the growing number of people diagnosed today,' Shih said in his statement. 'We must ensure that policies and budgets evolve to reflect this new reality. That means expanding access to early intervention, strengthening educational and healthcare systems, and providing supports that span a lifetime. This data is not just a number—it's a call to action.' CNN's Sarah Owermohle contributed to this report.
CNN
15-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
Autism rates in US rose in 2022, CDC data shows
A new study from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the autism diagnosis rate has increased among US children, continuing a long-term trend that experts have largely attributed to better understanding of and screening for the condition. About 1 in every 31 children was diagnosed with autism by age 8 in 2022, up from 1 in 36 in 2020, according to the CDC report that published Tuesday. Rates varied widely by gender, race and geographic area. The US Department of Health and Human Services launched what it called a 'massive testing and research effort' last week with a goal to identify 'what has caused the autism epidemic' by September, but the new CDC report says that better diagnostic practices can help explain many of the recent findings. Improvements in early identification of autism 'have been apparent,' the authors of the CDC report wrote, and 'differences in the prevalence of children identified with [autism spectrum disorder] across communities might be due to differences in availability of services for early detection and evaluation and diagnostic practices.' Boys have consistently had higher rates of autism diagnosis than girls – in 2022, there was a 3.4-fold difference in rates among 8-year-olds, according to the new CDC report. While that ratio has started to narrow in recent years, the new report notes that it's not simply because of improvements in identification in girls. Autism diagnosis was also more common among Asian, Black and Hispanic children than it was among White children, a shift that was first identified in the most recent past report that captured trends for 8-year-olds in 2020. In recent years, diagnoses have also shifted to become less prevalent in wealthy neighborhoods than in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods. The reversal of these patterns is 'consistent with increased access to and provision of identification services among previously underserved groups,' CDC researchers said in the new report. But disparities persist in identifying autism in children who also have an intellectual disability. More than half of Black children diagnosed with autism at age 8 also had an intellectual disability, compared with less than a third of White children, the new report found. Experts say that the rise in autism rates reflects a positive trend. 'A lot has changed over the years, and this continued rise in prevalence reflects, in part, real progress: increased awareness, broader diagnostic criteria, and more consistent, standardized screening tools have all contributed to more children being identified earlier and more accurately – underscored the need for continued support and investment in the autism community,' Dr. Andy Shih, chief science officer for Autism Speaks, a nonprofit advocacy and research group, said in a statement. Shih and Autism Speaks were not involved in the new report. Dr. Kristin Sohl, who chairs of the autism subcommittee of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Council on Children with Disabilities, called the findings in the new report 'encouraging.' 'When children are identified early, appropriate supports and services can be tailored to help them, and their families thrive,' she said in a statement. 'Autistic children add value to our communities. Advocating for resources and funding to support autistic people across the lifespan is essential for a productive and healthy America.' The new study is based on surveillance data from 16 areas that participate in the CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. The data are not nationally representative and encompass a different set of sites than the last report with data from 2020, which only captured data from 11 sites. The CDC has also said that the Covid-19 pandemic led to 'sustained lower levels' of evaluations and identification of autism across most of the surveillance network. Prevalence has also been found to vary widely by location; In 2022, rates ranged from about 1 in every 19 children in California to 1 in every 103 children in Laredo, Texas. 'Research has not demonstrated that living in certain communities puts children at greater risk for developing (autism spectrum disorder),' CDC researchers wrote. Instead, the difference in prevalence is more likely due to differences in the services available and practices used for evaluation and detection. In California, where autism rates have consistently been highest, a local initiative has trained hundreds of pediatricians to 'screen and refer children for assessment as early as possible,' the new report notes. Insurance coverage can help improve early detection and diagnosis, the researchers say. In Pennsylvania, the site with the second highest autism prevalence, the state Medicaid policy covers children with disabilities regardless of their parents' income. CDC researchers say in the new report that there are additional limitations on tracking autism prevalence, including varying levels of data quality and completeness and differences in identifying intellectual disability in a child and clinically diagnosing it. 'While there are many factors driving these numbers, research shows that 60–90% of autism risk is rooted in genetics. Still, one thing is clear—this steady increase in prevalence calls for deeper, sustained investment in autism research, not only to understand its causes, but also to support the growing number of people diagnosed today,' Shih said in his statement. 'We must ensure that policies and budgets evolve to reflect this new reality. That means expanding access to early intervention, strengthening educational and healthcare systems, and providing supports that span a lifetime. This data is not just a number—it's a call to action.' CNN's Sarah Owermohle contributed to this report.
