From the BBC News and the [UK] Telegraph:

A Cambridge University study has concluded that autism is much more prevalent than previously thought, estimating that there are two undiagnosed children with autism for every three who have been diagnosed.

The research, published in the current issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry (subscription required), suggests that the true prevalence of autism could be as high as one in 64 UK children between the ages of 5 and 9. Earlier estimates had put that number at one child in 100. The findings raise the possibility that there are some 300,000 UK children with autism who have not been diagnosed, in addition to the 500,000 who have been identified.

Simon Baron-Cohen, the study’s lead investigator, said accurate population estimates are important “so that the relevant services, including education, health and social services, can plan adequate provision for all those children and adults who may need support.”

See also:

Are rates of autism increasing? – Telegraph

This entry was posted on Friday, May 29th, 2009 at 11:01 am and is filed under autism, international, research news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.