The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder has increased 20–30 fold in the last 40 years worldwide, according to research. People with autism often have co-occurring conditions, including epilepsy, depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as well as challenging behaviours such as difficulty sleeping and self-injury. The level of intellectual functioning among autistic people varies widely, extending from profound impairment to superior levels. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication difficulties and restricted repetitive behaviours that can continue in daily life beginning in early childhood. Given the 2–10 fold greater risk of mortality than in the general population and the surge in the incidence of the condition, ASD is a major problem in the world today. The prevalence of ASD has increased 20–30 fold in the last 40 years worldwide. According to research, the prevalence of ASD has risen rapidly worldwide to 1 in 132. Moreover, there is a degree of diversity in the prevalence of ASD in parts of the world. The global prevalence of ASD ranges from 1.4 per 10,000 children in the Arabian Peninsula to 185 per 10,000 children in Asia. In Europe, Sweden has the highest prevalence (115/10,000). It is estimated that worldwide about one in 100 children has autism.
This estimate represents an average figure, and reported prevalence varies substantially across studies. In recent years, cases of autism have risen, and diagnosis of autism can be made as early as 18–24 months of age; it is around this age that characteristic symptoms can be distinguished from typical development and other delays or other developmental conditions. The rise is due to increased awareness and diagnosis of autism rather than a massive increase in overall occurrences of autism.
Source: Publications AAP