Childhood Autism cases increase for Aussies

By Katrina RoeThursday 4 Aug 2011Hope MorningsParentingReading Time: 1 minute

The number of children diagnosed with autism in Australian public schools has increased by 165% in the last eight years. 

Is autism really becoming more prevalent or are we just getting better at diagnosing it?  

Some even claim in the mainstream media that some parents and doctors are deliberately misdiagnosing autism in order to gain access to government funding, with more assistance available for autism than for other conditions.   

Around 6000 children in NSW public schools have been diagnosed with autism, and Anthony Warren from Autism Spectrum Australia suggests the likely reasons for the increase and explains exactly what autism is.

Audio – Anthony Warren from Autism Spectrum Australia discusses autism with Katrina Roe