Is There an Epidemic of Autism?

The debate on the hypothesis of a secular increase in rates of autism would benefit from a clear recognition of the methodologic limitations of existing data, including cross-sectional surveys, which account for large variations in prevalence estimates both over time and across areas.

Abstract

Commentary| February 01 2001 Is There an Epidemic of Autism? Eric Fombonne, MD Eric Fombonne, MD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Address correspondence to Eric Fombonne, MD, FRCPsych, MRC Child Psychiatry Unit/Institute of Psychiatry, Denmark Hill, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom. E-mail: Pediatrics (2001) 107 (2): 411–412. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.107.2.411 Article history Received: November 20 2000 Accepted: November 20 2000 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Eric Fombonne; Is There an Epidemic of Autism?. Pediatrics February 2001; 107 (2): 411–412. 10.1542/peds.107.2.411 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All PublicationsAll JournalsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP Grand RoundsAAP NewsAll AAP Sites Search Advanced Search Subjects: Managed Care Q&A Topics: autistic disorder, epidemics The debate on the hypothesis of a secular increase in rates of autism would benefit from a clear recognition of the methodologic limitations of existing data. No psychiatric case register study has ever allowed for estimating and monitoring the incidence of autistic conditions over time.1Cross-sectional surveys hugely differ in their case definition and case identification methods that account for large variations in prevalence estimates both over time and across areas, precluding a meaningful analysis of time trends. That rates in recent surveys are substantially higher than 30 years ago merely reflects the adoption of a much broader concept of autism, a recognition of autism among normally intelligent subjects, changes in diagnostic criteria, and an improved identification of persons with autism attributable to better services.1,2 The only epidemiologic study where case definition and identification could be held constant failed to detect an increase in rates of autism in... You do not currently have access to this content.