1 in 100?

That, according to a study published today in The Lancet, is how many children may be autistic in the UK. As reported in today’s Times Educational Supplement, The Scotsman, and many other media sources, out of a group of 56,946 children (aged 9-10) in South London, 255 had already been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and 1,515 were thought to be undetected cases. The research was conducted by Professor Gillian Baird, from Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust in London. As quoted in The Guardian:

“The core feature is an impairment in social interaction, so there’s a difficulty with social relationships, and that can range from being withdrawn and aloof to simply not fitting in very easily,” said Prof Baird. “In previous years, most children who had a diagnosis of autism would perhaps have some learning difficulties, but we’re now recognising autism in young people who don’t have learning difficulties and indeed are very capable.”

Almost 0.4 per cent of the children studed had “classic” childhood autism, while just below 1.2 per cent had so-called “milder forms” of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), such as Asperger’s Syndrome. Various theories—from environmental factors to different diagnostic criteria—are acknowledged. It is suggested that some of the children now being diagnosed with ASD would have previously been said to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as noted in The Daily Telegraph.

What is clear, as Prof. Baird herself writes in her article, “Services in health, education, and social care will need to recognise the needs of children with some form of ASD, who constitute one per cent of the child population.”

One per cent of the population.

Charlie is hardly alone.