Who is affected by autism
Autism is one of the most common developmental disabilities. Recent studies have shown an increased prevalence of autism.1 Other studies indicate that this does not reflect a true increase in the number of people affected by autism but is mostly due to an improvement in the ability to identify the condition and a broader definition of autism.2 However, many doctors believe that the increase in autism could be due to both factors.
- It is estimated that as many as 1 in every 1,000 children in Canada has autism. An even larger number of children may show some features of autism.3
- It is likely that most cases of autism are passed down through families. Couples who have one child with autism are more likely to have a second child with autism than couples who do not have a child with autism.3
- Boys are up to 4 times more likely than girls to have autism.4
Studies show that autism may be recognized more often than it used to. This may be because of better detection and a broader definition of autism. For example, some children who were previously diagnosed with mental retardation are now being diagnosed with autism. More study is needed to find the reason for the increased diagnosis of autism.
| Author: | Carrie Henley Sabra L. Katz-Wise | Last Updated: August 17, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Fred Volkmar, MD - Child Psychiatry | |
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