Stats and facts

• Autism now affects about one in 100 children. There are around 100,000 children with autism in the UK, with around half a million family members directly affected by the condition. 1
  
• Four times as many boys as girls have autism. 2

Autism and education

• In schools with pupils with autism, only 22% of teachers have been trained specifically in autism – the majority of training given is typically one to four hours. 3
  
• One in five children with autism have been excluded from school, the majority of those on more than one occasion. 4
  
• The number of autistic pupils with a statement in England has increased greatly from 23,960 in 2004 to 34,550 in 2008. Figures for the numbers of pupils on the autism spectrum on School Action Plus show a greater increase, from 7,300 in 2004 to 12,750 in 2008. What this means for parents, carers and children. 5
  
• Many families with autism live in poverty as it costs on average three times more to raise a child with a severe impairment than a non-disabled child. 6
  
• Families with autism often do not get the right support putting them under immense strain, it has been estimated that up to 80% of parents of children with autism split up. In a UK study of families with autism one in three were lone parents. 7
  
• Only 11% of carers who have children with autism work full time, and 70% say the lack of appropriate care facilities stops them working. 8
  
• Over 40% of children with autism have been bullied at school. 9
  
• Parents of children with autism are more likely to go to Tribunal about their child’s education. 10

Costs

A 2007 report estimated that 'the aggregate national costs of supporting children with autism in the UK is £2.7 billion each year. Most of this cost is accounted for by services used. For adults, the aggregate costs amounts to £25 billion each year. Of this total, 59% is accounted for by services, 36% by lost employment for the individual with autism, and the remainder by family expenses. The lifetime cost for someone with high-functioning autism was found to be £3.1 million and £4.6 million for someone with low-functioning autism'. 11

Footnotes

1. The Office of National Statistics recently reported a rate of autism of 1% in the population of school-age children. Office of National Statistics (2005), Mental health of children and young people in Great Britain, London: Palgrave Macmillan. The Medical Research Council suggested a prevalence rate of 1 in 166 children under 8, while teachers have reported numbers as high as 1 in 80. Medical Research Council (2002) Review of Autism Research: Causes and Epidemiology, MRC: London; Barnard, J. et. al. (2003), Autism in Schools: Crisis or Challenge?, NAS: London.

2. In the ONS survey cited above, 82% of children with autism in the sample were boys.

3. Barnard, J et. al. (2003), Autism in Schools: Crisis or Challenge?, NAS: London.

4. Batten, A et. al. (2006), Autism and Education: The Reality for Families Today, NAS: London.

5. Autism Education Trust (2008), Education Provision for Children and Young People on the autism spectrum living in England: a review of current practice, issues and challenges, NAS: London.)

6. Sharma, N (2003), Still Missing Out? Ending poverty and social exclusion: messages to government from families with disabled children, Barnardos: London.

7. Bromley, J et al (2004). Mothers supporting children with autistic spectrum disorders: social support, mental health status and satisfaction with services. Autism, 8(4), pp. 409-423.

8. Broach, S et. al. (2003), Autism: Rights in Reality, NAS: London.

9. Batten, A et. al. (2006), Autism and Education: The Reality for Families Today, NAS: London.

10. SENDIST annual report (2007)

11. Knapp, M, Romeo, R & Beecham, J (2007), The Econmis Consequences of Autism in the UK, Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, London.