How many people suffer from autism

There have always been people with ASDs. Yet for the past few years, the subject has been more in the limelight.

This is also caused by the fact that the autistic way of thinking and acting is less adapted, or not adapted, to the demands of a modern society. As a consequence more and more persons with an ASD fall by the wayside. In earlier times they may perhaps have behaved a bit strangely but they could still keep up with society.

Add to this that the knowledge of autism has increased and that autism is often recognized at an earlier stage. Furthermore, nowadays more types of autism are described than 30 years ago. At that time only classic autism was brought up; now PDD-NOS and the Asperger syndrome are acknowledged as well.

Autism Spectrum Disorders are more common in the pediatric population than some better-known disorders such as diabetes, spinal bifida, or Down syndrome  .
Prevalence studies have been done in several countries. Prevalence estimates range from 2 to 6 per 1,000 children.

This wide range of prevalence points to a need for earlier and more accurate screening for the symptoms of ASD. The earlier the disorder is diagnosed, the sooner the child can be helped through treatment interventions. Pediatricians, family physicians, daycare providers, teachers, and parents may initially dismiss signs of ASD, optimistically thinking the child is just a little slow and will “catch up.”

Although early intervention has a dramatic impact on reducing symptoms and increasing a child’s ability to grow and learn new skills, it is estimated that only 50 percent of the children are diagnosed before kindergarten.

It is worldwide agreed that 4 to 5 in 10,000 people come within the classic category of Autistic disorder.

If we include autism-related disorders, the complete spectrum of Autistic Disorders comprises 58 of every 10,000 people (Lorna Wing).

Prof dr. M. Haveman   and his team have investigated the occurrence of autism among the population and whether this incidence has increased of late. They investigated more than 30 prevalence studies and concluded that 0.6 per cent of the examined population in the age group from 3 to 18 have (of suffer from) a pervasive development disorder. The sub-division they found: for autism a prevalence of 8.1 in 10,000 applies, for the Asperger syndrome 38.4 in 10,000 applies, and for PDD-NOS the prevalence is 12 in 10,000  .

Many professionals assume that the percentages are in fact higher.

Simon Baron-Cohen, an English clinical psychologist of Cambridge University, states that present studies suggest that 1 in 200 children have a disorder within the autism spectrum.

ASD is more often found in men than in women. In normally talented persons the relation of men and women thus diagnosed is about 6 to 1. However, in different examinations these values differ strongly (from 3 to 1 and 10 to 1). Generally speaking boys are more sensitive than girls in developing developmental, learning and behavioral disorders. Biologically spoken they are the stronger sex. It is possible girls are less prone due to hormonal factors during pregnancy of the mother, different development of the brain, or hereditary factors. This means that girls compared with boys usually have several and/or more severe causes leading to the development of autism. As a result girls, when they suffer from autism, often have a more severe form accompanied with developmental disabilities or below average intelligence.

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How many people suffer from autism