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Autism Spectrum Disorders

Prevalence

Partly because of the evolving definitions of ASD, the different ways ASDs are expressed, and better identification, the prevalence of ASDs has been increasing. A 2010 CDC study reported a prevalence of about 1 in 110, a 2009 study reported a prevalence of 1 in 91.

Additionally, some of the increasing prevalence may be due to diagnostic substitution, an increase in diagnostic specificity, or parents wanting their child to qualify for one of the legal disorders that would qualify their child for free special education (Johnson, Myers, 2007; Levy, Mandell, Schultz, 2009) as required by law (more on legal issues later).