The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in toddlers: a population study of 2-year-old Swedish children

J Autism Dev Disord. 2012 Jul;42(7):1491-7. doi: 10.1007/s10803-011-1391-x.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / diagnosis
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / epidemiology*
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / psychology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data
  • Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data
  • Sweden
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data