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Figure 1

  Year   Prevalence in Population  
Northern Ireland No’s of Individuals with ASD
  Download Report
  2002   71: 10,000  
8,000
  (1.5MB)
  2007   1 : 100  
20,000
  (96kb)
  2007   1 : 76*  
30,000
     

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 Concur with unpublished 2007 report by Cambridge Autism Research Centre.

Figure 2

  Year   School Age Children with ASD   Download Report
  2002   900   (1.5MB)
  2007   3000*      

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

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. MMR/Immunisation, diet, heredity pre-disposition within society.
In other words, have our evolving lifestyles introduced a hazard that is at the route 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).

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.

 

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 1,2 - By ELB - Gender breakdown 2008/09

 

 

BELB

WELB

NEELB

SEELB

SELB

Totals

Primary schools 3

Males

207

165

202

382

246

1,202

1,438

Females

36

35

34

68

63

236

Post primary schools

             

1,094

Males

170

150

136

239

275

970

Females

39

12

13

25

35

124

Special schools

             

940

Males

144

119

162

249

116

790

Females

23

26

26

38

37

150

                 

 

Total

619

507

573

1,001

772

3,472

 

Asperger Syndrome 2 - By ELB - Gender breakdown 2008/09

 

 

BELB

WELB

NEELB

SEELB

SELB

Totals

Primary schools 3

Males

117

75

84

108

57

441

527

Females

25

18

13

19

11

86

Post primary schools

             

793

Males

162

110

86

167

179

704

Females

36

7

6

18

22

89

Special schools

             

80

Males

49

*

5

#

*

69

Females

6

*

0

*

*

11

                 

 

Total

395

217

194

321

273

1,400

 

All pupils - By ELB - Gender breakdown 2008/09

 

 

BELB

WELB

NEELB

SEELB

SELB

Totals

Primary schools 3

Males

12,485

15,196

18,914

17,761

19,787

84,143

164,811

Females

12,135

14,481

18,287

17,097

18,668

80,668

Post primary schools

             

147,986

Males

13,895

13,121

16,270

13,178

16,507

72,971

Females

16,070

13,478

16,258

12,553

16,656

75,015

Special schools

             

4,598

Males

916

493

667

825

265

3,166

Females

364

225

329

356

158

1,432

                 

 

Total

55,865

56,994

70,725

61,770

72,041

317,395

 

Source: NI school census.

Note:

  1. Autistic Spectrum Disorder includes autism or Aspergers syndrome.
  2. Children at Stage 1 - 5 of the SEN Code of Practice are included. However, some children at stage 1 - 2 of the Code may not be included, as there is only a requirement for schools to record their needs at a more general level.
  3. Figures for primary schools include children in nursery, reception and year 1 - 7 classes.

 

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