title: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in toddlers: a population study of 2-year-old Swedish children.
abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is more common than previously believed. ASD is increasingly diagnosed at very young ages. We report estimated ASD prevalence rates from a population study of 2-year-old children conducted in 2010 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Screening for ASD had been introduced at all child health centers at child age 21/2 years. All children with suspected ASD were referred for evaluation to one center, serving the whole city of Gothenburg. The prevalence for all 2-year-olds referred in 2010 and diagnosed with ASD was 0.80%. Corresponding rates for 2-year-olds referred to the center in 2000 and 2005 (when no population screening occurred) were 0.18 and 0.04%. Results suggest that early screening contributes to a large increase in diagnosed ASD cases.
authors: Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Kungsgatan 12, 411 19 Gothenburg, Sweden. gudrun.nygren@neuro.gu.se
authors: Gudrun
authors: G
authors: Nygren
authors: Mats
authors: M
authors: Cederlund
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Sandberg
authors: Fredrik
authors: F
authors: Gillstedt
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Arvidsson
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Carina Gillberg
authors: Gunilla
authors: G
authors: Westman Andersson
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Gillberg
mesh_terms: D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013548:Sweden; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data