Prevalence of Autism

I was reading a report by the National Health Service (NHS) Information Centre that was published recently into the prevalance of autism or Asperger syndrome in adults. According to the report, 1 in 100 adults in the UK are on the spectrum.

The report points out that this is the same rate as for children which is contrary to that previously stated. Before apparently, it was assumed that rates could have been lower among older groups because people would gradually recover from the condition (or die prematurely).

I have always assumed that the rates would have been comparable. There is no reason why I can see it should less for adults; it is more a question of more being found out about the condition; I personally did not find out about my Asperger until I was 35!

The report does however go on to make some further observations which I found interesting from a managerial or business pespective. Firstly, that prevalence was lower among men with a degree qualification than amongst those with no qualifications at all. I am sceptical about this: I suspect that higher intelligence provides the insight that enables the person to self-help and rectify their own situation.

Secondly, which was much more pertinent to me, that those with an autism spectrum disorder were no more likely to be using services for those with cognitive or emotional difficulties than the rest of the general adult population.

The reason I say this is because of the general lack of appropriate
experyise and services for people on the autism spectrum when compared to similar "disabilities". It is even more pronounced I believe for those with Asperger Syndrome, not least of all because the autistic spectrum is supported by numerous children's services and children, in general, are less predilicted with Asperger.

In a management or work context this is an important issue. The reason why I wrote my book Managing with Asperger syndrome and developed aspergermanagement.com (and have also developed my Transition Project with the Careers service at Nottingham University) is to build these sorts of services which, I believe, are so badly needed.

As the report goes on to say: "The recent report by the National Audit Office on supporting people with autism through adulthood suggests very little recognition and service provision by local authorities or the NHS for adults with autism spectrum disorder. This begs the question about whether services, as currently configured, are meeting the needs of this group of people".

They are not of course, but this brings me to my central question: who will provide them? The national strategy for autism currently being formulated by the UK government is likely to help but, ultimately, I still believe that the Asperger community is going to have to largely develop and provide these services themselves - or at least contribute significantly to their development.