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There is widespread concern about the rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but if the condition is genetic in aetiology, it cannot be increasing rapidly. Proposed explanations for a spurious increase include a greater awarenessof autism in the general population, misreporting in survey data, changes in diagnostic criteria, lower diagnostic thresholds and a shift from other developmental diagnoses.1–3
The prevalence in Scotland was recently estimated at 1.035% using studies from other developed countries. No diagnostic data have been published, and no national prevalence study is proposed.1 Since 2010, Scottish schools have …
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Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent for publication Not required.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.
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