Autism - How common is it?

You may think that there are not many children like your child with autism. But this condition may be more common than you think.

In countries like the UK and the US, about 6 in 1,000 children have autism or another autistic spectrum disorder (a group of conditions that includes autism, Asperger syndrome and other similar conditions).[1] [2] [3]

Up to 1 in 100 children at school in the UK may have an autistic spectrum disorder.[4]

Autism affects about four times as many boys as girls.[3] And it happens in children from all ethnic backgrounds and in people in all countries around the world.

Doctors once thought autism was rare. But newer studies show it seems to be getting more common. It's hard to say why. This may be just because the newer studies have been better at finding children with autism. Or it may be because the way doctors define autism has got wider. We need more research before we can say for sure what's causing the increase in autism.[1]

References

Fombonne E. Epidemiological surveys of autism and other pervasive developmental disorders: an update. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2003; 33: 365-382.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How common is autistic spectrum disorder? Available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism (accessed on 6 February 2006).
Fombonne E. The prevalence of autism. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003; 289: 87-89.
Office of National Statistics. Mental health of children and young people, Great Britain 2004. Available at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=14116 (accessed on 6 February 2006).

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.