title: Prevalence of treated autism spectrum disorders in Aruba.
abstract: To study autism outside of a narrow range of settings previously studied, and in a particularly distinctive setting in the Caribbean. The aim of the Aruba Autism Project was to determine the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in birth years 1990-1999 in Aruba. A record review study was conducted; cases were ascertained from children treated at the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic of Aruba, the first and only child psychiatry service on the island. In these 10 birth years we found a prevalence for autistic disorder (AD) of 1.9 per 1,000 (95% CI 1.2-2.8) and for autism spectrum disorders of 5.3 per 1,000 (95% CI 4.1-6.7). Comparison analysis with a cumulative incidence report from the UK, showed a similar cumulative incidence to age five in Aruba. Prevalence of ASDs in birth years 1990-1999 and cumulative incidence to age five in Aruba are similar to recent reports from the United Kingdom and the United States.
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Oranjestad, Aruba, idc.vanbalkom@lentis.nl.
authors.forename: Ingrid D C
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: van Balkom
authors.forename: Michaeline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bresnahan
authors.forename: Marrit F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Vogtländer
authors.forename: Daphne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van Hoeken
authors.forename: Ruud B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Minderaa
authors.forename: Ezra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Susser
authors.forename: Hans W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Hoek