May Institute marks 70th year serving individuals with autism
In 1955, after Marie Ann May and her husband, Jacques May, M.D., realized that autism treatment for their seven-year-old twin sons was nonexistent beyond lifelong institutionalization, they set out to provide a new option, founding a small, community-based school in Chatham, Mass.
At the time, autism was considered a rare disease. The term had been coined in 1911, but the disorder was formally identified in 1943. Little was known of the causes, and treatment was based on behavior modification and, in some cases, included harsh punishment or electroshock therapy.
“In the 1950s, there was little understanding of autism,” said Lauren C. Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP, president and CEO of the organization they founded, now known as the May Institute. “Services were extremely limited, and autistic children and those with other special needs were often institutionalized for life.”
Having grown from its modest beginnings, the May Institute, celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, has continued the founders’ quest for improved treatment options for those with autism.
The Institute now includes five special education schools, locations in 13 states to provide early intervention, home- and school-based consultation services, and a full range of services for adults. The Institute is affiliated with 50 universities, hospitals, and human service agencies worldwide.
Through its National Autism Center, the organization works to disseminate standards for effective educational and behavioral interventions to ensure those with autism are receiving the most current, evidence-based care.
“Our work has also contributed to a broader societal shift—one that recognizes and respects the strengths and needs of autistic individuals while ensuring they have access to the highest quality care and support,” Solotar said.
The biggest concern in the world of autism today is the sharp increase in diagnoses. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the rate of diagnosis has gone from one in 150 children 20 years ago to one in 36 today.
There are those, including the new Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr., who push the now widely-debunked theory that autism is caused by childhood vaccines.
“Given that scientific evidence has made it clear that vaccines do not cause autism, it is very concerning that this misinformation continues to circulate.
It is critical that we focus on evidence-based research and support services that truly benefit autistic individuals and their families,” said Solotar.
The false focus on vaccines can undermine more critical autism research.
“Continued investment in autism research is essential—not only to better understand autism but to also ensure that autistic individuals have access to the resources they need to thrive,” Solotar added.
Experts point to increased recognition and broader diagnostic criteria for at least part of the increase.
Still, Solotar noted, certain populations may still be under-diagnosed because of cultural stigma or how the disorder presents in different genders or ethnic groups.
“Autistic girls may develop stronger masking and social camouflaging skills, making their symptoms less obvious,” she explained. “Individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups are also diagnosed later and less frequently than their white peers. Disparities in healthcare access, language barriers, and cultural perceptions of developmental differences contribute to this gap.”
Therapists are often the front line with autism, she said, and should take steps to ensure clients are properly diagnosed.
“We encourage increased education about early warning signs, continued training for clinicians, and increased outreach to underserved populations,” she said. “And, at May Institute, we will continue to advocate for policies that protect and expand these critical services, ensuring that every autistic individual has access to the care, education, opportunities, and quality of life they deserve.”