The global Autism Spectrum Disorder treatment market is projected to reach $11.42 billion by 2028, according to a new report by 360 Research Reports. Critics called the report “heartbreaking” and called for more focus on prevention by keeping “toxicants out of kids’ bodies.”

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on Jan. 5. We are republishing it this week as part of The Defender’s coverage of Autism Acceptance Month, formerly known as Autism Awareness Month.

The global Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) treatment market is projected to reach $11.42 billion by 2028, growing from $9.01 billion in 2021, according to a market research report by 360 Research Reports and announced in a press release on Monday.

It’s the latest in a series of reports published over the last 12 months predicting massive growth in the ASD treatment industry over the next several years due to rising global rates of autism and increasing investment in pharmaceutical research and development.