A Novel Approach to Autism

The United States’ current ASD care model is reactive, unsustainably expensive, and yields poor outcomes.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a medical condition manifesting with significant disability and often severe co-morbid health conditions – including gastrointestinal disease, epilepsy, and metabolic abnormalities. The surge in prevalence cannot be fully explained by growing awareness or changing diagnostic criteria.

The cost of ASD in terms of both human suffering and societal financial burden is immense.

The prevalence of ASD has surged to an alarming rate over recent decades. Parents and people affected by ASD have few options and limited support from the medical, education, and human services sectors for a life-long and severe condition.

Development of a new standard of care across these sectors is necessary to address the needs of this population to optimize outcomes for each individual. Investing in better outcomes not only maximizes the human potential of each person and family impacted by ASD, it will profoundly improve the dismal financial forecasts associated with our current standard of care.

1 / 31

Estimated Number of Children Diagnosed with ASD United States (Source: CDC). While genetic predisposition is a factor in ASD, genetic mutations alone cannot account for the unprecedented rise in cases.

4.5 Years

Average age of diagnosis of ASD for children in the United States (Source: National Autism Data Center). Unfortunately, many interventions are most effective when started early, and delayed diagnosis worsens the likelihood for positive outcomes.

$3.6M

Estimated Lifetime Societal Costs Per Individual with ASD in the United States (Source: 2020 Study). By 2029, If prevalence remains the same, the cost will grow to $11.5 trillion for the U.S., and if prevalence continues to increase at the past rate, the cost will grow to nearly $15 trillion.

25-30%

of individuals with ASD are nonverbal or minimally verbal (Source: Link) Autistic people who cannot speak risk being underestimated, but with appropriate instruction and support, many learn alternative forms of communication.

37%

of autistic adults report having employment for 12 months or more. (Source: Study) Many individuals with ASD face employment challenges due to behavioral and social interaction problems rather than their inability to perform assigned work tasks.

of individuals with ASD have access to the residential supports and live outside of the family home (Source: A Place in the World Study). Most adults with ASD live with aging parents and family members until they are no longer able to do so.

Autism Needs Our Attention. Now.

The U.S. is not adequately prepared for the growing number of adults with ASD.

The rising autism prevalence is not only difficult for individuals and families, it has profound societal impacts. It is not only an urgent public health concern but also as a policy question with respect to where resources will come from and how to mitigate and prevent the human suffering and worst-case financial scenarios.

Modeling shows a total population-wide ASD cost in the U.S. of $5.54 (4.29–6.78) trillion/year by 2060, accounting for inflation. Similarly, modeling shows that a pursuit of identifying and regulating environmental factors to optimize children’s brain health during critical periods of development to minimize the development of ASD could save trillions per year.

Millions of Individuals with ASD in the United States Modeled by Age Cohort

Chart based on 2023 publication: Blaxill, M., T. Rogers and C. Nevison (2023) Autism tsunami: The impact of rising prevalence on the societal cost of autism in the United States, Science, Public Health Policy, and the Law, 4: 227-256. (Click to Open Source)

Who We Are

The Autism Discovery Coalition is a powerhouse team of world-renowned experts, leading institutions, and pioneering organizations with decades of experience in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) research, prevention, treatment, and support. United by a shared vision of transforming ASD care, they are leveraging the most advanced scientific, medical, and technological breakthroughs to drive unparalleled progress for individuals with ASD.

Frustrated by the slow pace of innovation and the reactive approach to ASD treatment, these bold visionaries have taken action—merging expertise in biochemistry, metabolic research, machine learning, precision medicine, engineering, communication techniques, and supportive community development to redefine autism care. They are integrating cutting-edge tools such as AI-driven diagnostics, biomarker research, and advanced neurodevelopmental therapies to accelerate early intervention, enhance treatment precision, and optimize lifelong outcomes.

This coalition is not just pushing boundaries—they are breaking them, building a future where individuals with ASD receive personalized, science-driven and supportive care that maximizes their potential and empowers them to thrive.

We are Re-Thinking Autism As

A Complex and Treatable Condition

ASD challenges traditional medical models. It’s not a single-organ disorder but a complex, systemic condition involving the brain, immune system, gut, and mitochondria. The majority of children with ASD have multiple comorbidities, especially involving the immune and gastrointestinal systems. Our healthcare system, with its siloed specialties, struggles to manage these interconnected issues.

ASD is often characterized by a breakdown in the interaction between three major systems: mitochondrial function, the gut microbiome, and immune regulation—what we call “the trifecta.” Disruptions in any of these can trigger biological feedback loops that lead to neurodevelopmental disorders, especially in the growing fetus, infants, and toddlers whose systems are still developing. Environmental stress and nutritional deficiencies can exacerbate these vulnerabilities.

To truly combat ASD, we must focus on what we can change: prenatal care, nutrition, environmental exposures, and effective treatments for those already affected. The current approach isn’t working. It’s time for a bold, practical shift toward prevention and whole-body treatment. Our coalition is set for the challenge and ready to usher in an era of true hope, healing, and better medicine for children and
families in need.

To spearhead this effort, we’ve assembled a world leading group of multidisciplinary scientists that combine immunology, neurology, gastroenterology, oxidative stress biology, the microbiome, and AI along with ASD stakeholders, including those affected and parents, to reshape ASD at scale through the Autism Discovery Coalition.

Focusing on Whole-Person Care for Better Outcomes

Focus 1

Mitigating

Environmental Risks

Focus 2

Validating

Biological Factors

Focus 3

Delivering

Precision Healthcare

Focus 4

Cultivating

Well-Being & Connection

Focus 5

Optimizing

Purpose & Productivity

Focus 6

Securing

a Lifelong Community of Care

Biomedical Treatment and Prevention

Focus 1: Mitigating Environmental Risks

Objective: Identify and reduce environmental, immunological, and genetic risks contributing to the development of ASD.
Life stage: Preconception through infancy
Explanation: Young brains undergo critical periods of development that are highly sensitive to stress. Each child’s unique genetic composition may influence their response to immunological, environmental, and chemical stressors, in some cases, playing a role in the onset of autism symptoms. New advancements in data collection and analysis help to identify and mitigate risks at earlier stages of development to support healthy brain development.