Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in a total population sample
- PMID: 21558103
- DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2011.10101532
Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in a total population sample
Erratum in
- Am J Psychiatry. 2013 Jun 1;170(6):689
Abstract
Objective: Experts disagree about the causes and significance of the recent increases in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Limited data on population base rates contribute to this uncertainty. Using a population-based sample, the authors sought to estimate the prevalence and describe the clinical characteristics of ASDs in school-age children.
Method: The target population was all 7- to 12-year-old children (N=55,266) in a South Korean community; the study used a high-probability group from special education schools and a disability registry and a low-probability, general-population sample from regular schools. To identify cases, the authors used the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire for systematic, multi-informant screening. Parents of children who screened positive were offered comprehensive assessments using standardized diagnostic procedures.
Results: The prevalence of ASDs was estimated to be 2.64% (95% CI=1.91-3.37), with 1.89% (95% CI=1.43-2.36) in the general-population sample and 0.75% (95% CI=0.58-0.93) in the high-probability group. ASD characteristics differed between the two groups: the male-to-female ratios were 2.5:1 and 5.1:1 in the general population sample and high-probability group, respectively, and the ratios of autistic disorders to other ASD subtypes were 1:2.6 and 2.6:1, respectively; 12% in the general-population sample had superior IQs, compared with 7% in the high-probability group; and 16% in the general-population sample had intellectual disability, compared with 59% in the high-probability group.
Conclusions: Two-thirds of ASD cases in the overall sample were in the mainstream school population, undiagnosed and untreated. These findings suggest that rigorous screening and comprehensive population coverage are necessary to produce more accurate ASD prevalence estimates and underscore the need for better detection, assessment, and services.
Comment in
-
The highs and lows of counting autism.Am J Psychiatry. 2011 Sep;168(9):873-5. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2011.11060897. Am J Psychiatry. 2011. PMID: 21890797 No abstract available.
-
2.64% of South Korean children aged 7 to 12 have autism spectrum disorders.Evid Based Ment Health. 2012 Feb;15(1):11. doi: 10.1136/ebmental-2011-100289. Epub 2011 Nov 15. Evid Based Ment Health. 2012. PMID: 22087009 No abstract available.
Similar articles
-
A comparison of DSM-IV pervasive developmental disorder and DSM-5 autism spectrum disorder prevalence in an epidemiologic sample.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014 May;53(5):500-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2013.12.021. Epub 2014 Jan 21. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014. PMID: 24745950 Free PMC article.
-
Characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorders who received services through community mental health centers.Autism. 2008 Jan;12(1):65-82. doi: 10.1177/1362361307085214. Autism. 2008. PMID: 18178597
-
Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders--autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 14 sites, United States, 2002.MMWR Surveill Summ. 2007 Feb 9;56(1):12-28. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2007. PMID: 17287715
-
[Psychiatric issues of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders who remain undiagnosed].Seishin Shinkeigaku Zasshi. 2013;115(6):601-6. Seishin Shinkeigaku Zasshi. 2013. PMID: 23944117 Review. Japanese.
-
Mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Mol Psychiatry. 2012 Mar;17(3):290-314. doi: 10.1038/mp.2010.136. Epub 2011 Jan 25. Mol Psychiatry. 2012. PMID: 21263444 Free PMC article. Review.
Cited by
-
Neurobiology of cognitive abilities in early childhood autism.JCPP Adv. 2024 Jan 20;4(2):e12214. doi: 10.1002/jcv2.12214. eCollection 2024 Jun. JCPP Adv. 2024. PMID: 38827984 Free PMC article.
-
Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in mainland china over the past 6 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Psychiatry. 2024 May 29;24(1):404. doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-05729-9. BMC Psychiatry. 2024. PMID: 38811881 Free PMC article.
-
Immediate effect of physical activity on the autonomic nervous system in individuals with autism spectrum disorders of different age groups: a randomised trial.BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2024 Apr 11;10(2):e001822. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001822. eCollection 2024. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2024. PMID: 38617566 Free PMC article.
-
Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children in Southeast Asia from 2002 to 2022: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.Health Sci Rep. 2024 Mar 27;7(4):e2005. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.2005. eCollection 2024 Apr. Health Sci Rep. 2024. PMID: 38559412 Free PMC article.
-
Understanding strengths and challenges of people with autism: insights from parents and practitioners.Int J Dev Disabil. 2022 Apr 4;70(1):74-88. doi: 10.1080/20473869.2022.2058781. eCollection 2024. Int J Dev Disabil. 2022. PMID: 38456143 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Grants and funding
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Medical