Autism is one of the most common developmental disabilities in Northern Ireland. Autism is life-long and the exact cause is still being investigated.

Autism is not caused by poor parenting or social circumstances.

At present there is no known cure for Autism; however, there are a range of interventions that can help individuals reach their full potential.

• Currently there are over 20,000 individuals affected by Autism within Northern Ireland.

 That means 20,000 families are living with the challenges of Autism.

• More than 300 children in Northern Ireland are diagnosed with Autism every year.
• Rates of children being diagnosed have quadrupled since 2002.
• Autism affects four times more males than females.
• Around 25% of individuals with Autism have an accompanying Learning Disability.

Autism is not a rare disability. The numbers of individuals with ASD now exceed the combined numbers of those with Down’s syndrome, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis. Yet investment in ASD support services for individuals and families remains significantly inadequate.

 Figure 1

* Figures supplied by BELB (Belfast Education & Library Board) (2007). They concur with unpublished 2007 report by Cambridge Autism Research Centre.

Figure 2

* Figures supplied by Department of Education Training & Inspection (DETI) 2006
** Figures supplied by Department of Education Training & Inspection (DETI) 2009

Q. Why is the rate of increase so dramatic?

A. The figures above show between a 300% - 500% increase in the estimated numbers of individuals with ASD in Northern Ireland over the last 5 years. Many reasons are given for this. International increases are also dramatic and the answer may lie somewhere within the following:

1) Environmental & genetic factors e.g. diet, heredity, pre-disposition within society.

In other words, have our evolving lifestyles introduced a hazard that is at the root of the triggering of Autism for a section of our population (Ref Uta Frith’s “Explaining the Enigma”)?

2) Better identification due to greater awareness, expertise and resourced services.

This may be a significant factor. However DHSSPS (NI) funding to develop ASD Assessment and Diagnostic services was first delivered in 2004 and a service network was still very much in a developmental stage in 2007. Due to obvious under funding of diagnostic services it is therefore unlikely that this is a total explanation of the exceptional rate of increase.

Q. What is the typical waiting period for a child referred for diagnosis?

A. In 2006, Parliamentary questions elicited a Government response giving waiting times for diagnostic assessment from 6 to 36 months across Northern Ireland. At this time it was estimated that 600 children were awaiting assessment. Ref: Hansard (House of Commons). In 2010, the DHSSPS Priorities for Action targets introduced a 13 week waiting list target for assessment and then intervention. NI Health Trusts are working towards this currently.

Q. How many children receive a diagnosis of ASD annually?

A. It is estimated that in Northern Ireland in excess of 300 children are born every year who later will receive a diagnosis of ASD.