First large scale survey of adult Autistics done.

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Yes, it is indeed interesting, but too small. Looking at the text it seems like the screening was done with the AQ-test, which does explain the skewed gender-ratio.

From my experience, they need a sample at least ten times larger to get more interesting results. When I analysed 88,000 answers to Aspie-quiz, I was able to see differences in ethnic groups (like Native Americans and Asians) that were not visible with 10,000 answers. Also, because of the method used, to randomly sample the general population, which does not give a skewed participation rate, they need many more cases to make the same conclusions that Aspie-quiz can provide with a much smaller sample. The strength of Aspie-quiz is that it does not need random selection of participants or some external diagnostic method. This is because Aspie-quiz defines Aspie as the major axis in factor-analysis, and the amount of Aspies or NTs in the dataset does not affect factor loadings or explained variance, while ethnic background does.

BTW, I've also analysed age-groups in Aspie-quiz and came to similar conclusions. I even think I came to the conclusion that Aspie-rates have in fact declined, which is more likely with recent, heavy discrimination against the group.

The NHS study:

http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-dat ... urvey-2007

From the NHS page:

Autism Spectrum Disorders in adults living in households throughout England - report from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007

Publication date

September 22, 2009


Summary

This report presents data on the presence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), based on the data collected at phases one and two of the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) 2007. These findings were not included in the initial survey report. Estimated disorder prevalence is presented by age, sex, ethnic group, marital status, highest educational qualification, equivalised household income, economic activity status, receipt of benefits, housing tenure, area level deprivation and predicted verbal IQ. The level and nature of treatment and service use is considered, although the sample size means that this cannot be explored in detail.

Key facts

-Using the recommended threshold of a score of 10 or more on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 1.0 per cent of the adult population had ASD. Published childhood population studies show the prevalence rate among children is also approximately 1.0 per cent.

-The ASD prevalence rate was higher in men (1.8 per cent) than women (0.2 per cent). This fits with the gender profile found in childhood population studies.

-There is no indication of any increased use of treatment or services for mental or emotional problems among adults with ASD. This is borne out by the recent National Audit Office publication “Supporting People with Autism Through Adulthood”.

-A greater proportion of single people were assessed with ASD than people of other marital statuses combined. This was particularly evident among men.

-Prevalence of ASD was associated with educational qualification, particularly among men. The rate for men was lowest among those with a degree level qualification and highest among those with no qualifications.

I'm missing something here I think. They found that there was almost the same number of adults with ASDs as children??? Isn't that kinda obvious cause the adults with ASDs were once children with ASDs???

But like I said, I'm probably missing something, not the sharpest tool in the shed here!

+1 to the "This is interesting!"

Hard to believe though that it takes 70 people before you can say "There a good chance one person out of the group is on the spectrum". Good chance being only slightly greater than 50% of course.