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Epidemiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Translational Approaches to Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

In this chapter, we review existing prevalence estimates for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) since 2000 and discuss methodological factors impacting the estimation of prevalence and the interpretation of changes in prevalence estimates over time. Possible explanations for an increase in the prevalence of ASD within and across populations are considered. Increases in ASD diagnostic rates cannot currently be attributed to a true increase in the incidence of ASD due to multiple confounding factors. It remains to be seen how changes to diagnostic criteria introduced in the DSM-5 will impact estimates of ASD prevalence going forward.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the modern term that replaces the former pervasive developmental delay (PDD).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Alison Presmanes Hill

  2. Division of General Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Katharine Zuckerman

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Autism Research, Institute for Development & Disability, Oregon Health & Science University, Gaines Hall 158, Portland, OR, USA

    Eric Fombonne

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  1. Alison Presmanes Hill
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  2. Katharine Zuckerman
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  3. Eric Fombonne
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Correspondence to Eric Fombonne .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroimmunology Department, International Center for Neurological Restoration, Havana, Cuba

    Maria de los Angeles Robinson-Agramonte

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Presmanes Hill, A., Zuckerman, K., Fombonne, E. (2015). Epidemiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders. In: Robinson-Agramonte, M. (eds) Translational Approaches to Autism Spectrum Disorder. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16321-5_2

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