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Incidence of autism spectrum disorders in children in two Australian states
Author(s) -
Williams Katrina,
Helmer Megan,
Mellis Craig M,
Tuck Marshall,
Glasson Emma J,
Bower Carol I,
Wray John
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb06608.x
Subject(s) - incidence (geometry) , autism spectrum disorder , autism , pervasive developmental disorder , asperger syndrome , pediatrics , population , medicine , psychiatry , psychology , demography , physics , environmental health , sociology , optics
Aim: To ascertain the incidence of autism spectrum disorders in Australian children. Setting: New South Wales (NSW) and Western Australia (WA), July 1999 to December 2000. Design: Data were obtained for WA from a prospective register and for NSW by active surveillance. Main outcome measures: Newly recognised cases of autism spectrum disorders (defined as autistic disorder, Asperger disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified [PDD‐NOS]) in children aged 0–14 years; incidence was estimated in 5‐year age bands (0–4 years, 5–9 years, 10–14 years). Results: In WA, 252 children aged 0–14 years were identified with autism spectrum disorder (169 with autistic disorder and 83 with Asperger disorder or PDD‐NOS). Comparable figures in NSW were 532, 400 and 132, respectively. Most children were recognised with autistic disorder before school age (median age, 4 years in WA and 3 years in NSW). Incidence of autistic disorder in the 0–4‐years age group was 5.5 per 10 000 in WA (95% CI, 4.5–6.7) and 4.3 per 10 000 in NSW (95% CI, 3.8–4.8). Incidence was lower in older age groups. The ratio of all autism spectrum disorders to autistic disorder alone was 1.5:1 in WA and 1.3:1 in NSW, and rose with age (1.8:1 and 2.9:1 in 10–14‐year‐olds in WA and NSW, respectively). Conclusions: These are the first reported incidence rates for autism for a large Australian population and are similar to rates reported from the United Kingdom. Ongoing information gathering in WA and repeat active surveillance in NSW will help to monitor any future changes.