Experts from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Available to Discuss New CDC Prevalence Data, Autism Treatment & Research During Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month

Newswise — Background: On March 31, just before the start of Autism Awareness Month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced updated autism prevalence numbers. The good news: the number of school-aged children in the U.S. diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) did not increase as it has in previous reports. It remained steady at 1 in 68 diagnosed with ASD. However, significant challenges remain. Black and Latino children are half as likely to receive a diagnosis by age 3, placing them at a disadvantage, since early diagnosis and treatment are linked with better outcomes. The report is available at: http://www.1.usa.gov/1Uxovmq.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Center for Autism Research (CAR) is one of the world’s most advanced centers for autism diagnosis, treatment and research. Throughout the month of April, CHOP experts will host activities and educational workshops and participate in guest lectures and resource fairs regionally and nationally. More information at: www.centerforautismresearch.org.

CHOP Experts Available for Interviews:• Susan Levy, MD, Developmental Pediatrician and Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Autism Subcommittee. Dr. Levy is also a spokesperson for the CDC regarding the new prevalence numbers• Robert Schultz, PhD, Director of the Center for Autism Research at CHOP can discuss how advanced diagnostic, genomic and neuroimaging technologies are bringing researchers closer to connecting the dots between the causes of ASD and potential therapies.• Several other members of the CHOP Autism Integrated Care Committee are available for interviews as well – including psychologists, speech-language therapists, neurologists and brain imaging experts, education researchers, social workers and experts on autism in adulthood.