Rising Autism Prevalence ‘Driven by Changes in Classification’

August 2, 2015 by Geri Audette

Figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that autism prevalence has increased from 1 in 5,000 in 1975 to 1 in 150 in 2002 to 1 in 68 in 2012. These increases have previously been attributed to there being a greater awareness of autism these days, combined with a broadening of diagnostic criteria.

However, the new study finds that much of the increase in prevalence may be due individuals with related neurological disorders being reclassified, rather than an increase in the rate of new autism cases. Read more.