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wendy · Sr. Member Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 111

One in 58 British children is autistic, new figures reveal
By DANIEL MARTIN -

Last updated at 08:23am on 9th July 2007

Autism is on the rise in Britain

Almost twice as many children in Britain could have autism than previously thought, researchers say.

A study has found that as many as one in 58 may have some form of the condition - well above the widely-accepted existing estimate of one in 100.

If so, it would mean that around 210,000 children under 16 in the UK have autism or a related disorder.

The leader of the Cambridge University study, autism expert Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, said the higher figure was not linked to use of the controversial MMR jab.

However, two members of his team are understood to privately believe that the triple vaccination may be to blame for the rise.

We couldn't get a proper education for our autistic son

Their fears follow claims from experts that injecting children with the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine - rather than three separate jabs - can cause autism.

Autism is an umbrella term for a range of developmental disorders that have a lifelong effect on the ability to interact socially and communicate.

There are related problems, known as autism spectrum disorders, which include Asperger's syndrome, which also require special teaching needs.

Estimates of the number of children with autism have been edging up for more than a decade. In the 1990s, it was believed there were around four or five cases of autism in every 10,000 people - rising to 20 cases if other ASD problems were included.

Later this was revised upwards to one in 100, the widely-accepted estimate among British scientists.

Last year a study suggested the figure may be as high as one in 86, and now the Cambridge team say it could be as high as one in 58.

It is not known whether the rise is down to better diagnosis of the condition, or because the numbers with autism are actually rising.

Professor Baron-Cohen and his team arrived at their estimate by studying the incidence of autism and ASD among 12,000 children at Cambridgeshire primary schools between 2001 and 2004.

He said possible factors behind the rise were genetics, environmental factors such as greater use of pesticides and children's exposure to hormones such as testosterone in the womb.

He said: "As for MMR, at this point one can conclude that evidence does not support the idea that the MMR causes autism."

However, two of the seven-strong team - Dr Fiona Scott and Dr Carol Stott - said the jab, which is given at 12 or 15 months, could be a factor in small numbers of children.

The MMR scare began in 1998 when Dr Andrew Wakefield, a gastroenterologist at the Royal Free Hospital in North London, wrote an article in The Lancet which linked the jab to autism and inflammatory bowel disease.

Despite further research debunking the claims, some mothers opted to go private and pay for three separate jabs or missed the jab altogether.

This month Dr Wakefield could be struck off the medical register following a General Medical Council hearing-over claims of dishonesty and irresponsibility over the research.

Ivan Corea, head of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK, said he hoped the increased estimate would prompt the Government to improve services because autistic people were at the mercy of a 'postcode lottery'.

He said: "We are urging Gordon Brown to provide a world-class education for all children with autism, to provide new specialist autism schools, even special needs academies and autism units equipped with sensory rooms in mainstream primary and secondary schools."
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welshie · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:34 pm Post subject:

i'm not suprised the number of people with autism or autism relateded disorders,there are many children and adults alike with no diagnois.
I can't get my children diagnoised as there 'problems'aren't deemed severe enough and there's a lack of funds here,and the cost to have it done privately are beyond our means.But we know for sure Daniel is on the lower end of autism maybe aspergers,where not so sure with Sarah but she has dyspraxic tendencies.
I'm sure there are many more out there like my children that for some reason or another are not diagnoised.

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i have two children with problems Sarah is 15 and has specific learning difficulties and Daniel whose on the autistic spectrum

Rabid · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:30 pm Post subject:

johnvb · New Member Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Posts: 5

We're also having issues getting a diagnosis for our son, whose 6. If you read any book about autism you find that he matches with all the symptoms they list, albeit mild. So we asked to meet the cognitive therapist at his school and discussed his behaviours, after which he agreed our son probably lies on the autistic spectrum. He then observed him for 10 minutes in class and said because he was interacting with people around him he's not autistic. The fact that in less structured environments he goes into the corner and cries didn't seem to matter.

To make things worse he then said he would do a cognitive assessment. The result? Our son wouldn't co-operate with the tests so he couldn't assess him, so he plans to see him again in 2 years! Doesn't he realise that the non-cooperation is exactly the reason why we asked for his help?

Health professionals keep telling us having a diagnosis won't help, how little do they know.
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John
http://www.specialfamilies.org
chat, support, news and information for families having children with special needs.

welshie · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:46 am Post subject:

Hi John we've been trying to get a dianoisis for Daniel since he was four We've been to all sorts of meetings discussions and read all sorts of imformation the school he was originally in used to say he was dyspraixic with autistic tendencies we think its more aspergers from the imformation we've heard and read albeit the lower scale,and Sarah displays all the symptoms for dyspraxia.Our own Gp has told us that we don't stand a chance for diagnois as there on the lower end and a diagnois would Daniel and Sarah would cost the system more than they do.
I want the diagnois for there sake as much as anyone Daniel asks frequently why he's different whats wrong with him.
Were are now having another batttle as Daniel is fast approaching fifteen heatlth professionals are trying to dismiss him,Why? not because he's Better but he's now classed as a young adult and the services are not the same.I walked away from speech therapy distressed yesterday angry too how much more fighting do i have to do?
Daniel's been having therapy since he was 3 so you can imagine he has a fair idea whats going to happen when he gets in there but because of this she feels he knows whats what so should be able to put it into practice???

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i have two children with problems Sarah is 15 and has specific learning difficulties and Daniel whose on the autistic spectrum

pixie · Site Admin Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 1985

We had problems with diagnoses for both of ours too (money saving on the part of the local authority) so we saw a solicitor.

He arranged legal aid so that we could be seen privately and the kids were diagnosed that way.

We then presented the local authorities/paeds with the reports and things moved very quickly from then on.

Both the kids got specialist schools and have gone from being almost impossible to live with to being a pleasure (mostly) to be with.

They still have bad times and they will always be Autistic + other disabilities but life is much better now they get the support from outside the home (school/college) as well as within. Their worlds have opened up for them so much.

It was all very amicable and the authorities just gave up the fight and gave the kids what they needed.

I hope this helps Welshie and John as sometimes the only way to fight is to fight dirty and give back what they give out.

welshie · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:20 pm Post subject:

how did you go about that? The problems we face are that Daniel's problems aren't severe enough at school he's better than home and we have many coping stratergies in place when where out and about,these help contol his outbursts while in difficult situations.All this does is seems to stop the help and support form other areas dont get me wrong i'd do anything for my son to help him cope but surely we should get something.
The special needs health visitor stopped a year after being assigned to us because i cope with my childrens disabilities and do all i can to give tham straggies to cope when away from there safe enviroments.
Makes me mad to think if i wasnt coping etc then they'd step in and provide for them do i have to negleact them for support?>???

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i have two children with problems Sarah is 15 and has specific learning difficulties and Daniel whose on the autistic spectrum

pixie · Site Admin Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 1985

We had to find a solicitor that specialised in education law. It is a while ago now so I can't remember who we used but he was down south somewhere.

It was all done by phone and letter. Except of course seeing the actual professional who DX'd the kids.

I think you should be able to find a solicitor who specialises in education law, maybe by phoning around or asking the CAB. There's loads on line too but it pays to look around first.

Can't do any harm as your child gets the legal aid and not you so it's not going to cost legal fees etc.

Mine were good at school too (they went to school to learn) and they only exploded when they got home with all the stress of being "normal" all day.

I rang and told SS I was going to bring them to the office and leave them as I couldn't cope. They rang me a week or so later to see if I was OK.

Having said all that I don't know how things work in Wales as I know some things work differently including educational issues, so it would be best to check with the solicitor that you find.

I hope our experience is helpful in some way.

Rabid · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject:

Its all a very sorry state of affairs if you ask me.
You'd think things would be getting better, but alas not

The professionals dont seem to think (or care?) that while they refuse to give a proper diagnosis, the child, and family, are suffering.
Especially the child if they are enduring mainstream (OK, some do OK, but some dont) its tantamount to torture for the poor kids.

Its frustrating, maddening, saddening.

Alice Cooper · Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:09 am Post subject:

It makes me so angry that people can't get their kids diagnosed. I must say St helens are really good at some aspects of diagnosis and services, but you have to jump through hoops to get it. Like we don't have enough to do dealing with the child.
It did take 12 months for a diagnosis because he didn't have any typical autistic behavour. We are lucky to have a marvellous expert who has helped us a lot.
One in 58 is very worrying. We just have to carry on making people aware of autism and what it entails.
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Welcome to my nightmare!