top of page
download72.png

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental condition that affects 1 in 36 children in the United States according to the CDC’s Autism and developmental disabilities Monitoring Network, representing one of the most disabling chronic conditions in childhood.     The core symptoms of this condition include deficits in social communication and interactions, along with restrictive or repetitive behaviors. However, there are a variety of additional symptoms that are often present in people with ASD, which include but are not limited to anxiety, stress and agitation, gastrointestinal abnormalities, differences in eating habits, inattention, impulsivity, epilepsy, or seizure disorders, along with sleep issues.  

 

The severity of ASD can range significantly, with  some individuals requiring little to no support from caregivers to others needing constant care. For example, those with profound autism have little to no verbal communication skills or an I.Q. of less than 50.  It is reported that about 27 percent of 8-year-old children with ASD meet the criteria for profound autism.  

 

Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications to treat the core symptoms of ASD, and the drugs that are prescribed target secondary symptoms, often fall under off-label use, and are accompanied with substantial metabolic adverse effects.  

 

Our mission is to leverage our multidisciplinary expertise in the field to develop a novel therapeutic that targets the core symptoms of autism. 

4

1, 2

3

5

6

​​References

​

1. Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder. April 4, 2023. Accessed April 30, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html ; 2. Maenner MJ, Warren Z, Williams AR, et al. Prevalence and Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2020. MMWR Surveill Summ 2023;72(No. SS-2):1–14. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss7202a1; 3. American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Neurodevelopmental disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787; 4. Lord C, Charman T, Havdahl A, et al. The Lancet Commission on the future of care and clinical research in autism [published correction appears in Lancet. 2022 Dec 3;400(10367):1926] [published correction appears in Lancet. 2024 Apr 6;403(10434):1340]. Lancet. 2022;399(10321):271-334. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01541-5; 5. Hughes MM, Shaw KA, DiRienzo M, et al. The Prevalence and Characteristics of Children With Profound Autism, 15 Sites, United States, 2000-2016. Public Health Rep. 2023;138(6):971-980. doi:10.1177/00333549231163551; 6. Shurtz L, Schwartz C, DiStefano C, et al. Concomitant medication use in children with autism spectrum disorder: Data from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials. Autism. 2023;27(4):952-966. doi:10.1177/13623613221121425 

bottom of page