title: Time trends in reported autistic spectrum disorders in Israel, 1972-2004.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies from many countries have reported an increasing prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder in childhood. No comprehensive epidemiological studies of ASD have been performed in Israel.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe time trends in the reported number of patients with ASD in Israel and to characterize the demographic features of the reported patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the charts of the National Insurance Institute of Israel from 1972 to 2004 for all children with a diagnosis of ASD receiving disability benefits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 3509 children met the study criteria. Eighty percent were boys and 98% were Jewish. The incidence data showed an increase in the number of cases from zero in 1982-84 and 2 (1.2 per million capita under 18 years) in 1985 to a high of 428 cases in 2004 (190 per million).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first comprehensive study of the incidence of ASD in Israel. According to data derived from official health records, the rate of occurrence of ASD has substantially increased in the last 20 years. Further studies are needed to determine if this is a true increase or if the findings were confounded by external factors, such as recent improvements in diagnostic measures and social stigmas.
authors.affiliation: Chi Development and Rehabilitation Institute, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva, Israel. Senekimi@zahav.net.il
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Senecky
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chodick
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Diamond
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lobel
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Drachman
authors.forename: Dov
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Inbar