Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is more common than previously believed. ASD is increasingly diagnosed at very young ages.
We report estimated ASD prevalence rates from a population study of 2-year-old children conducted in 2010 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Screening for ASD had been introduced at all child health centers at child age 21/2 years. All children with suspected ASD
were referred for evaluation to one center, serving the whole city of Gothenburg. The prevalence for all 2-year-olds referred
in 2010 and diagnosed with ASD was 0.80%. Corresponding rates for 2-year-olds referred to the center in 2000 and 2005 (when
no population screening occurred) were 0.18 and 0.04%. Results suggest that early screening contributes to a large increase
in diagnosed ASD cases.
We report estimated ASD prevalence rates from a population study of 2-year-old children conducted in 2010 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Screening for ASD had been introduced at all child health centers at child age 21/2 years. All children with suspected ASD
were referred for evaluation to one center, serving the whole city of Gothenburg. The prevalence for all 2-year-olds referred
in 2010 and diagnosed with ASD was 0.80%. Corresponding rates for 2-year-olds referred to the center in 2000 and 2005 (when
no population screening occurred) were 0.18 and 0.04%. Results suggest that early screening contributes to a large increase
in diagnosed ASD cases.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-011-1391-x
- Authors
- Gudrun Nygren, Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Kungsgatan 12, 411 19 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Mats Cederlund, Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Kungsgatan 12, 411 19 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Eva Sandberg, Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Kungsgatan 12, 411 19 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Fredrik Gillstedt, Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Kungsgatan 12, 411 19 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Thomas Arvidsson, Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Kungsgatan 12, 411 19 Gothenburg, Sweden
- I. Carina Gillberg, Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Kungsgatan 12, 411 19 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Gunilla Westman Andersson, Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Kungsgatan 12, 411 19 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Christopher Gillberg, Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Kungsgatan 12, 411 19 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257