Autism Confidential with Dr. Holden Thorp, Editor of Science on Autism's Hard Questions

Dr. Holden Thorp, Editor-in-Chief of Science, joins Autism Confidential with Jill Escher, NCSA president, for a candid conversation on autism diagnosis, severity, prevalence debates, and why nuance matters when science meets reality.

00:00:00 Opening
00:00:30 Introduction
00:02:55 Dr. Thorp's Background
00:10:24 Science Journal
00:11:37 Diagnostic Scheme / DSM Changes
00:20:10 Prevalence
00:23:28 ADSI Grants
00:26:52 Upcoming Book
00:33:53 Closing

About Dr. Thorp:
Holden Thorp became Editor-in-Chief of the Science family of journals on 28 October 2019. He came to Science from Washington University, where he was provost from 2013 to 2019 and professor from 2013 to 2023. He is currently a professor at George Washington University and on leave to serve as the Editor-in-Chief at Science. Thorp joined Washington University after spending three decades at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), where he served as the 10th chancellor from 2008 through 2013.

About Autism Confidential:
The podcast from the National Council on Severe Autism. We shine a light on the hottest issues in the world of autism, including topics often shunned by conventional media. Who cares for autistic adults after their parents die? How can we fix our broken care system? What interventions help, or hurt? Join NCSA as we take on the hardest questions of autism with leading thinkers and doers.
https://www.autismconfidential.org

About NCSA:
The National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA) is a nonprofit organization that advocates for recognition, policy, and solutions for individuals and families affected by severe autism and related disorders.
NCSA is a 501(c)(3) public charity | EIN: 83-0665732
https://www.NCSAutism.org

Recorded January 5, 2026.
©2026 National Council on Severe Autism. All rights reserved.