Rising Autism Cases and its Awareness in Big Cities vs Small Towns

In this snippet of our latest HealthCommune Podcast, host Dr. Smita Karpate, co-founder of HealthCommune, and Dr. Ashwani Garg, a Functional Medicine expert, discuss the alarming rise in autism prevalence, noting its dramatic increase in the last 20 years. While India lacks concrete data, he says that cases are rising rapidly, highlighting that 1 in 30 children in the US are being diagnosed or exhibiting traits of autism. The discussion also explores whether autism is genuinely increasing or just being diagnosed more frequently.

Together, they also delve into the urban vs. rural gap in diagnosis. In cities, parents compare behaviours and detect early signs, while in smaller towns, symptoms are often misinterpreted, especially in girls, who mask their symptoms better. Many parents are told nothing can be done, leaving them without hope. However, Dr. Garg emphasises that with early interventions and personalised care, children with autism can thrive and reach their full potential, especially through a Functional Medicine holistic approach.

🔑Key Highlights:

✅Dr. Garg explains his work on Functional Medicine and Autism Treatment
✅ Is autism rising at an alarming rate or is it just being diagnosed more frequently?
✅ Awareness of Autism in Big cities vs smaller towns and challenges in diagnosis

📢 Watch the podcast to understand why Autism cases are rising and many go undiagnosed, especially in rural areas, and how Functional Medicine bridges this gap.