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Jill Escher: Why Has the Rate of Autism Increased?

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Parents and professionals alike are noticing a staggering increase in the rate of autism. Jill Escher, autism mom, research advocate, and president of the National Council on Severe Autism, discusses some of her important research ideas in the field. As mothers of young adults with autism, we also discuss the supports available in the US for autistic adults and how it will stand up in the face of the increasing rates.

Jill Escher and the Rate of Autism

Jill is a mother of two children with nonverbal autism and with no history of autism in her family, she was motivated to understand the causes behind autism, leading to her work today as a research advocate teaming up with scientists to study innovative new ideas on this big ticket question. There are many theories in the autism world about the causes and Jill has done work learning about non-genetic heritable effects. This means taking a look at a genetic change, that isn’t a mutation necessarily. This is caused by environmental/medical effects to the parents that may have affected their sperm or egg before the child was conceived. Uniquely, Jill was able to receive records dating back to her in utero care with her own mother and found that her mother was injected with a steroid in the 60s that could have this effect.

Is Genetics the Cause of Autism?

If it is plausible that genetics are not the cause for all autism, and that it is a combination of environmental impact on the genes, this might explain the rate of increase in autism. There are a lot of charts with varying dates that discuss the increase, but there are not many that focus on the broad timeline of the 1970s to the present, in which we really see the rise. When discussing the increase, many people say that diagnosis has become easier and broader. In some cases this may account for less than half of the increase but in many instances the requirements to be included in data that show the increase have become more narrow, and stricter. Which actually reflects a larger increase than we even know.

So if rates of autism are genuinely increasing, what does that mean for our future? Today’s children with severe autism will eventually become adults with serious support needs. As parents of adults with autism now, Jill and I both agree the current supports in place are not enough. It is not a level playing field state to state either and this is a real concern as the rates of adults with autism continue to grow. 

While not a definable term, “Severe Autism” describes a portion of ASD that requires 24-7 care for the individual. Many individuals with severe autism are non-verbal or have limited language and pose great safety risks to themselves, they are unable to work in traditional settings or independently, and need a great deal of constant support. As an autism community, we must come together to get our children, who will become adults, more. They deserve more.

Jill and I discuss a lot of nuances in the autism research field and some of the important work to be done. Her advice for parents and professionals to manage stress pairs well with my philosophy of care. Encounters with your children should be positive and revolve around fun and the genuine joy of your child.

Jill Escher

Jill Escher on Turn Around Autism

Jill Escher wears many hats in the autism world. She is an autism research advocate and philanthropist. She is president of National Council on Severe Autism and past president of Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area. She’s also a housing provider for adults with autism and developmental disabilities. Finally, she’s the mother of two children with nonverbal autism.

You’ll Learn

  • Why has the rate of autism increased?
  • What do scientists believe cause autism?
  • Is autism really increasing?
  • Can genes mutate after birth?
  • What is a non-genetic heritable effect?
  • What does severe autism mean?
  • Is there enough support for adults with autism?

Resources

Free Workshop

Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums

in Young Children with

Autism &/or Speech Delays

Register for Free Training