Prevalence of autism-spectrum conditions: UK school-based population study

Baron-Cohen, Simon; Scott, Fiona J.; Allison, Carrie; Williams, Joanna; Bolton, Patrick; Matthews, Fiona E.; Brayne, Carol

Abstract

Background: Recent reports estimate the prevalence of autism-spectrum conditions in the UK to be 1%. Aims: To use different methods to estimate the prevalence of autism-spectrum conditions, including previously undiagnosed cases, in Cambridgeshire. Method: We carried out a survey of autism-spectrum conditions using the Special Educational Needs (SEN) register. A diagnosis survey was distributed to participating schools to be handed out to parents of all children aged 5-9 years. The mainstream primary school population was screened for unknown cases. Results: The prevalence estimates generated from the SEN register and diagnosis survey were 94 per 10000 and 99 per 10000 respectively. A total of 11 children received a research diagnosis of an autism-spectrum condition following screening and assessment. The ratio of known:unknown cases is about 3:2 (following statistical weighting procedures). Taken together, we estimate the prevalence to be 157 per 10000, including previously undiagnosed cases. Conclusions: This study has implications for planning diagnostic, social and health services.

Citation

Baron-Cohen, S., Scott, F. J., Allison, C., Williams, J., Bolton, P., Matthews, F. E., & Brayne, C. (2009). Prevalence of autism-spectrum conditions: UK school-based population study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 194(6), 500-509. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.108.059345

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: Dec 8, 2023
• Journal: British Journal of Psychiatry
• Print ISSN: 0007-1250
• Electronic ISSN: 1472-1465
• Publisher: Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Volume: 194
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 500-509
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.108.059345
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4455149