Study Watch : Autism Prevalence in Utah Increases Again

Yet another prevalence study, this time from the state of Utah.  Researchers are estimating that the administrative prevalence of autism in eight year olds increased (cough) only 100% between 2002 and 2008 to 1 in 77 children.  That is up from the the 1 in 133 that was found in 2002  which was itself a 20 fold (1900%) increase from the prior estimate in the eighties.  At the time, the 2002 number was called an "urgent public health concern".

Since this data point is already 3 years old, I have to wonder how much our "awareness" has increased the number since then.  If it has continued to grow at the same rate that would put it at about 1 in 50 today.

It is a good thing that autism isn't becoming more common because otherwise I might have to start worrying.

There is a short post about this study over at Questioning Answers if you are interested.

Changes in the Administrative Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Contribution of Special Education and Health from 2002-2008.
Pinborough-Zimmerman J, Bakian AV, Fombonne E, Bilder D, Taylor J, McMahon WM.

University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Abstract
This study examined changes in the administrative prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Utah children from 2002 to 2008 by record source (school and health), age (four, six, and eight), and special education classification. Prevalence increased 100% with 1 in 77 children aged eight identified with ASD by 2008. Across study years and age groups rates were higher when health and school data were combined with a greater proportion of cases ascertained from health. The proportion of children with both a health ASD diagnosis and a special education autism classification did not significantly change. Most children with an ASD health diagnosis did not have an autism special education classification. Findings highlight the growing health and educational impact of ASD.

PMID: 21538173