May 29, 2009

experts comment on research into incidence of autism, as published in the British Journal of Psychiatry

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have carried out a survey of autism-spectrum conditions in Cambridgeshire, with the aim of indentifying the prevalence of such conditions, including previously unidentified cases.

Prof Tony Charman, Chair in Autism Education, Institute of Education, London, said:

“This study confirms findings from other recent work, including our own, that around 1% of school age children have an autism spectrum disorder. The study also shows that in a significant proportion of cases children meeting research criteria for an autism spectrum disorder were unrecognised by schools and local health services. Accurate figures for the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders are important for planning health, social and education services.

“The increase in the measured prevalence of autism over the past decade is likely due to a number of factors including wider recognition and awareness amongst the public and professionals; a broadening of the diagnostic criteria and the range of children to whom the diagnosis is seen as applicable; as well as more thorough and multiple methods of ascertainment in research studies, as in the present study. Another important message that the study highlights is that prevalence estimates for autism will vary according to whether a narrow or a broad diagnostic threshold is used for this range of behaviourally defined developmental disorders.”