Prevalence of Parent-Reported Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children in the US, 2007

Here is the full text of the article.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/peds.2009-1522v1

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The reported increasing prevalence of autism spectrum
disorder (ASD) and attendant health and family impact make monitoring
of ASD prevalence a public health priority.

METHODS: The prevalence of parent-reported diagnosis of ASD among
US children aged 3 to 17 years was estimated from the 2007 National
Survey of Children’s Health (sample size: 78 037). A child was considered
to have ASD if a parent/guardian reported that a doctor or other
health care provider had ever said that the child had ASD and that the
child currently had the condition. The point-prevalence for ASD was
calculated for those children meeting both criteria. We examined sociodemographic
factors associated with current ASD and with a past
(but not current) ASD diagnosis. The health care experiences for children
in both ASD groups were explored.

RESULTS: The weighted current ASD point-prevalence was 110 per
10,000. We estimate that 673,000 US children have ASD. Odds of having
ASD were 4 times as large for boys than girls. Non-Hispanic (NH) black
and multiracial children had lower odds of ASD than NH white children.
Nearly 40% of those ever diagnosed with ASD did not currently have the
condition; NH black children were more likely than NH white children to
not have current ASD. Children in both ASD groups were less likely than
children without ASD to receive care within a medical home.

CONCLUSIONS: The observed point-prevalence is higher than previous
US estimates. More inclusive survey questions, increased population
awareness, and improved screening and identification by providers
may partly explain this finding. Pediatrics 2009;124:000DM

Comments: Be very careful how you interpret this research. I believe the design flaws inherent in such research has a tendency to over predict the outcome. DM