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Hi,
In regards to diagnosis rates for autism, the California numbers (which are the most commonly used)track ONLY "autism", and autism that meets ALL the criteria per the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, now edition four - revised (DSM-IV-R), for "autism". A child is not included if their diagnosis is PDD, or "autism spectrum disorders", or developmentally delayed, or anything like that. The California numbers don't track any other diagnosis, but they will add kids in if their initial PDD diagnosis is later changed to "autism". So the early numbers in the 3 to 5 range track just "autism", but DO tend rise somewhat as more children get diagnosed or change diagnosis, and diagnosis usually stabilizes at 8 to 10 years of age and doesn't change thereafter. So Asperger Syndrom or the new "Sensory sensitivity" isn't included in the California numbers, which means the rate for the entire autism SPECTRUM is much much higher than 1 in 150 kids :-(
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