Prevalence of Autism by region

Try Europe's biggest council Birmingham. This is right up their street.

Towns like Solihull or counties like Worcestershire, Shropshire, and Staffordshire might be easier.

urspecial

As my id suggests i figured out my AS.im44 and have known that im wired up differently somewhat 2 the norm,whatever that is.was diagnosed as schizophrenic at 23 lol.Foolish that me thinks,before that i was told i was having a hard time growing up at 19.DO NOT GIVE UP SIR its your rights being swept under the rug.

Hi SR1,

Sorry some time has passed but wanted to pass on a message from the Information Centre here at the NAS. They wanted to point out they are able to handle requests for information like this and if you still need the information and want to get in touch you can find out how here:

http://www.autism.org.uk/Our-services/Advice-and-information-services/Information-Centre.aspx

They also felt that our information sheet on the prevalence of autism may be useful for you, though it takes a broader approach rather than highlighting individual regions -

http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/some-facts-and-statistics/statistics-how-many-people-have-autism-spectrum-disorders.aspx

Hope you find that helpful

I have dug through a lot of data but I won't say I have found regional data on autism.  I have found lists for autism rates by states and countries.  You can check out some of what I have found by visiting http://www.mheproducts.com/autism/PFCs_and_Autism.htm

or http://www.autism-pfos.net/

I have been sorting through a lot of data as part of my job.  PFC contamination has become a big issue for us and I have a son with aspergers.  Eventually, I started wondering if the two were linked.  I could email you what documents I have found on autism rates.

Hi SR1

I do think WB is making a good point here. Yes the information can be got but the information supplied is most likely not representative of the number of people who have an ASD.

I am presuming due to the role you describe you are in the main looking at younger people? Or am I wrong and you are looking to provide provision for adults as well?

Yes there are statistics as you have found but due to the difficulty in getting diagnosis and the sheer and frankly wild variations in levels of service offered across regions these figures are probably conservative at best.

Many people (adults in particular) are not referred to the services they need in order to be diagnosed and therefore do not even make it onto the statistical data. Even for children some parents decided to go it alone without diagnosis of their child or scrabble about desperately trying to reach the right professional who can help them.

Obviously this doesn't help you greatly with your research (sorry) and I am pleased you are doing what you can.'coz someone really needs to'..but I do think you need to bear in mind that official figures are not always to be relied upon.

Despite the AUtism Act there the emphasis is still on the individual or their families to make their voice heard..and but nature of the issues involved this means you don't always make it on to every data base.

I hope once everyone catches up with the Autism Act more and more people are officially 'registered' and your job will be much easier and the amount of services offered will reflect the need.

Good luck with your research...the only other option I can think of is you contact local NAS/ASD groups as a comparison against the offical figures and their memberships figures???

Thanks for looking out for us families and keep up the good work.

Hi,

Sorry I am trying to follow your posts, but I am finding it difficult.

I live in Plymouth and I am trying to get support down here but my search is proving slow and difficult. I have been informed by a Mental health nurse that my difficulties in life are down to Asperger Syndrome and ADHD. I do work and with many aspects of life function well, but I still hit way too many brick walls. I am what I think is classed "Higher Functioning"?

Anyway, this is mainly aimed at SR1Autism, but do you know of any self help groups in the Plymouth Area or how best I could find out?

And how do I know if I am entitled to any support of any kind?

Kind regards,

Steve

HI WB, thanks for your replie.

Sorry to hear that your diagnosis took so long and were treated unfairly. 

Is it this type of practice they we, including the council, are attempting to stamp out. Although customary training is not the ideal solution but at least it will raise awareness and with awareness naturally comes an understanding.

In respect with your situation, it is the unskilled and untrained advisors which we are reaching out to. At the end of the day when can any individual class themselves as been a ASC specialist?

In terms of ‘******* into the wind’ I have had 3 out 5 direct responses to my Freedom of Information Request within 3 hrs of myself requesting these, so someone within the local council have their finger on the button.   I can only think that it is through continued media campaigns and Government pushes that the councils have these numbers freely at hand and available for members of the public.

Once again many thanks for reply. 

Excellent thanks Longman.

Cant help but thinking this would give a true representation of the number of individuals with ASC & AS across the country. So my question would be why has this not been donwe nationally? 

Maybes an interesting action research topic to keep me amused in my free time.

Thanks once again.

Local authorities are supposed to have collected this data as an outcome of the Autism Act, though I suspect the data is little better than what was around before. But there should be a local authority representative who is supposed to be geared up on autism. You have a good opportunity to test whether the Autism Act is being taken seriously.