Study Watch : Autism Prevalence in Israel

Via pubmed -

Time Trends in Reported Autism Spectrum Disorders in Israel, 1986-2005.

Reports indicate sharp increase in prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We aimed to assess the time trend in prevalence of ASD in Israel and describe demographic characteristics of the registered cases. We reviewed the autism registry of the Israeli Ministry of Social Affairs which includes 4,709 cases and identified 4,138 cases born between the years 1986 and 2005. Registered cases were mainly males (84.4%) and Jewish (96.6%). Prevalence data indicated an increase from 1.2 per 1,000 in those born in 1986 to 3.6 per 1,000 in 2003. Greater increase was seen in males, reaching a peak of 5.7 per 1,000, compared to 1.2 per 1,000 in females. Increased ASD prevalence was observed among Israeli children born in 1986-2005.

It is interesting how the 1986 and 2003 numbers are close to what the numbers were thought to be in the US during both of those times.  The standard disclaimers about changes in the definition of autism, how autism is measured, and the dangers of assuming that one number is representative of the entire population of autism apply.

And of course, if we are talking about current times, the rate of autism should be closer to 10 per 1,000, like it is now in the US.

References

Gal, Gilad, Lili Abiri, Abraham Reichenberg, Lidia Gabis, and Raz Gross. 2011. “Time Trends in Reported Autism Spectrum Disorders in Israel, 1986-2005.” Journal of autism and developmental disorders.
PMID : 21567257