Adults Quarterly Autism statistics

Adults Quarterly Autism statistics

Published 1 February 2023

Theme: Adults Quarterly Autism statistics for Northern Ireland
Purpose: For information
Authors (statisticians): Heidi Rodgers, Jessica McCluney, Malcolm Megaw
Publication date: 1 February 2023
Issued by: Community Information Branch, Information and Analysis Directorate, Department of Health, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SQ
Email: cib@health-ni.gov.uk
Webpage: NI Autism Statistics

1. Adults Autism Referrals

During quarter ending 31 December 2022, there were 191 accepted autism referrals for adults in Northern Ireland, an increase of 29.9% since 31 December 2021 (Figure 1). Table 1 sets out the number of accepted autism referrals for adults in Northern Ireland from 31 December 2020 to 31 December 2022. Table 2 sets out the annual number of accepted autism referrals for adults from year ending 31 March 2018 to 31 March 2022.

Table 1: Number of accepted autism referrals for adults from 30 June 2017 to 31 December 2022

Note: From March 2021, the Northern HSC Trust have been unable to provide data due to ongoing unavailability of information arising from system migration issues.

Quarter ending	Number of adult autism referrals in NI
31 Dec 2020	135
31 Mar 2021	126
30 Jun 2021	122
30 Sep 2021	105
31 Dec 2021	147
31 Mar 2022	128
30 Jun 2022	176
30 Sep 2022	187
31 Dec 2022	191

Figure 1: Number of accepted autism referrals for adults in Northern Ireland from 30 June 2017 to 31 December 2022

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Figure 1.CSV (1kB)

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Please note, since 31 March 2021 the Northern HSC Trust has been unable to provide figures in regards to the number of adult autism referrals; therefore, the Northern Ireland figures since then relate to the Belfast, South Eastern, Southern, and Western HSC Trust’s only.

Table 2: Number of accepted autism referrals for adults by HSC Trust for years ending 31 March 2018 to 31 March 2022

Note: From March 2021, the Northern HSC Trust have been unable to provide data due to ongoing unavailability of information arising from system migration issues.

HSC Trust	Year ending 31 March 2018	Year ending 31 March 2019	Year ending 31 March 2020	Year ending 31 March 2021	Year ending 31 March 2022
Belfast	89	117	130	79	90
Northern	213	298	275	198	NA
South Eastern	70	122	142	95	195
Southern	49	59	57	46	102
Western	42	76	128	71	115
Northern Ireland	463	672	732	489	502

2. Adults Autism Diagnoses

During quarter ending 31 December 2022, there were 45 diagnoses of autism in adults across Northern Ireland, an increase of 136.8% since 31 December 2021 (Figure 2). Table 3 sets out the number of autism diagnoses for adults in Northern Ireland from 31 December 2020 to 31 December 2022. Table 4 sets out the annual number of autism diagnoses for adults from year ending 31 March 2018 to 31 March 2022.

Table 3: Number of adults diagnosed with autism from 30 June 2017 to 31 December 2022

Note: From March 2021, the Northern HSC Trust have been unable to provide data due to ongoing unavailability of information arising from system migration issues.

Quarter ending	Number of adults diagnosed with autism in NI
31 Dec 2020	26
31 Mar 2021	15
30 Jun 2021	21
30 Sep 2021	25
31 Dec 2021	19
31 Mar 2022	40
30 Jun 2022	40
30 Sep 2022	40
31 Dec 2022	45

Figure 2: Number of autism diagnoses for adults in Northern Ireland from 30 June 2017 to 31 December 2022

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Figure 2.CSV (1kB)

Figure 2.XLSX (8kB)

Please note, since 31 March 2021 the Northern HSC Trust has been unable to provide figures in regards to the number of adult autism diagnoses; therefore, the Northern Ireland figures since then relate to the Belfast, South Eastern, Southern, and Western HSC Trust’s only.

Table 4: Number of adults diagnosed with autism by HSC Trust for years ending 31 March 2018 to 31 March 2022

Note: From March 2021, the Northern HSC Trust have been unable to provide data due to ongoing unavailability of information arising from system migration issues.

[S] represents figures suppressed to avoid personal disclosure due to small numbers.

HSC Trust	Year ending 31 March 2018	Year ending 31 March 2019	Year ending 31 March 2020	Year ending 31 March 2021	Year ending 31 March 2022
Belfast	13	23	27	[S]	22
Northern	73	109	144	27	NA
South Eastern	30	36	35	29	71
Southern	[S]	11	10	[S]	0
Western	[S]	0	0	[S]	12
Northern Ireland	128	179	216	65	105

3. Download data

The data presented in the figures and tables within this publication can be downloaded in excel format by clicking the button below.

Download data:

Quarterly data: 23KB

Metadata

The attached tables present the number of accepted referrals for autism assessments and the number of diagnoses of autism in adults in Northern Ireland, and by Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust.

Source

Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG).

Validation

Validated aggregate autism information is submitted by each HSC Trust to the SPPG. The SPPG regionally validates the returns upon receipt.

Limitations

There will be some different practices between the HSC Trusts which may cause differences in the figures presented.

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