Insights from New Research into Autism

From The Diane Rehm Show
Guest Host: Susan Page
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

A new report from the Center for Disease Control shows the incidence of autism in American children has dramatically increased over the last decade. A debate is raging over why. Some experts say better detection is the reason. Others say it reflects the broadening definition of autism. At the same time, medical breakthroughs have given doctors and researchers hope that they may soon be better able to identify what causes autism -- and how to treat it. What does this new research mean?

On today's Diane Rehm Show on NPR, Guest Host Susan Page, Washington Bureau Chief of USA Today, interviewed four impressive guests on the new autism prevalence statistics and related topics. You can listen to the entire hour HERE, or order a CD of the show HERE.

Her Guests

Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health/NIH

Amy Harmon, national correspondent with the New York Times. She has written extensively on autism

Jennifer Walsh, parent of a child with autism

Lauren Kenworthy, director, Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Children's National Medical Center