Dramatic increase in autism numbers

8:00am Saturday 22nd July 2006

CASES of childhood autism have quadrupled in Bournemouth during the past few years, mirroring national figures which have shown the condition becoming three times more common.

Special educational needs experts believe that the dramatic increase in local youngsters suffering from autism spectrum disorders are because doctors have got better at diagnosing them.

They also believe that better awareness among the public and medical profession in Bournemouth means that fewer sufferers fall through the net.

The definition of autism has also changed, they argue, broadening what falls into the autistic spectrum.

Autism usually develops before the age of 30 months and is sometimes apparent from birth, although its cause is still unknown.

Children with the condition become withdrawn and self-absorbed, are often unable to communicate and do not follow normal patterns of development.

It is more prevalent among boys.

There are currently 136 autistic children with and without official statements of special educational needs in Bournemouth, compared with only 30 in 1997.

"In recent years the medical profession has learnt a lot more about the causes and symptoms of the condition and so have improved their diagnosis," said Mike Dishington, special educational needs policy and development manager at Bournemouth Borough Council.

"A broader range of needs are now included, such as Asperger's syndrome, and there has been a lot of work done in sensory processing differences.

"The huge publicity in recent years about autism means that children, parents and practitioners are now more aware.

"Children suffering from the condition are therefore more likely to be taken to their local doctor and then referred to a specialist."

A national study published this week claims that autism in children is three times more common than previously thought, affecting one in every 100 children.

Previously, researchers believed autism occurred in only five in every 10,000 children.

Youngsters in Bournemouth have a choice of special schools plus units at Malmesbury Park Primary and the Bishop of Winchester secondary.