Report: Association of Race/Ethnicity and Social Disadvantage with Autism Prevalence
Report authors: Andres Roman-Urrestarazu, Robin van Kessel, Carrie Allison, Fiona Matthews, Carol Brayne, Simon Baron-Cohen
Published by: JAMA Pediatrics, March 2021
SUMMARY
The researchers analysed data from 7,047,238 pupils aged five to 19 in state-funded schools using the Spring School Census 2017 from the National Pupil Database in England. A total of 119,821 pupils recorded as having autism were identified, of whom 21,660 also had learning difficulties. About 58 per cent of pupils with autism had an education, health and care plan (EHCP).
The research found 1.76 per cent of schoolchildren in England had autism. Previous research by the same group, using a school-based survey, suggested 1.57 per cent of children were autistic. The researchers say the increase is likely to be because autism has become better recognised by parents and schools.
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