Researchers who surveyed children aged five to nine in Cambridgeshiresay the findings should help education, health and social servicesprepare for the future.
Their figures, published in the June issue of the British Journal ofPsychiatry, confirm that one per cent of primary school children have anexisting diagnosis of autism, but also suggest that there may be manymore currently undiagnosed.
The National Autistic Society called for the research to be replicatedmore widely. Chief executive Mark Lever said, 'This is importantresearch, which for the first time gives us an estimate of the number ofpeople who don't have an autism diagnosis but may be in need of support.Access to appropriate diagnostic services is crucial.'
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