One in a hundred adults have an autism spectrum disorder, says pioneering new study

[muriel_volestrangler]

The world's first ever study into the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders among adults shows that one in every hundred adults living in households has the condition – broadly the same rate as that cited for children.
...
The survey fails to support suggestions of a link between the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the condition. This is because, if MMR were a factor in the development of the condition, prevalence would be expected to be higher among children and younger adult age bands because MMR was introduced in 1990/91 and only those currently aged in their early twenties or younger have been routinely offered it.
...
While 1.0 per cent of the adult population had an autism spectrum disorder, the rate for men was higher (1.8 per cent) than for women (0.2 per cent). This was in line with studies among child populations which show higher rates amongst boys.

http://www.ic.nhs.uk/news-and-events/press-office/press-releases/september-2009/one-in-a-hundred-adults-have-an-autism-spectrum-disorder-says-pioneering-new-study

[LeftishBrit]

1. k&r - very interesting

The rate of autism appears to have gone up, mainly because diagnostic categories have changed. Many people who would have been diagnosed as 'mentally handicapped', 'emotionally disturbed', 'language impaired', or 'psychotic' in the past are now given diagnoses on the autistic spectrum.

[stray cat]

2. Meaning numbers haven't increased just diagnosis?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. Boys spend more time outdoors... play in the dirt a bit more than

girls do.