Adults Quarterly Autism statistics

Adults Quarterly Autism statistics

Published 31 January 2024

Theme: Adults Quarterly Autism statistics for Northern Ireland
Purpose: For information
Authors (statisticians): Heidi Rodgers, Deborah Kinghan
Publication date: 31 January 2024
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 2023, there were 185 accepted autism referrals for adults in Northern Ireland, a decrease of 3.1% since 31 December 2022 (Figure 1). Table 1 sets out the number of accepted autism referrals for adults in Northern Ireland from 31 December 2021 to 31 December 2023. Table 2 sets out the annual number of accepted autism referrals for adults from year ending 31 March 2019 to year ending 31 March 2023. Please note that 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 1: Number of accepted autism referrals for adults from 31 December 2021 to 31 December 2023

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 2021	147
31 Mar 2022	128
30 Jun 2022	176
30 Sep 2022	187
31 Dec 2022	191
31 Mar 2023	221
30 Jun 2023	296
30 Sep 2023	197
31 Dec 2023	185

Figure 1: Number of accepted autism referrals for adults in Northern Ireland from 30 June 2017 to 31 December 2023

Download data:

Figure 1.CSV (1kB)

Figure 1.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 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 2019 to 31 March 2023

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 2019	Year ending 31 March 2020	Year ending 31 March 2021	Year ending 31 March 2022	Year ending 31 March 2023
Belfast	117	130	79	90	136
Northern	298	275	198	NA	NA
South Eastern	122	142	95	195	329
Southern	59	57	46	102	151
Western	76	128	71	115	159
Northern Ireland	672	732	489	502	775

2. Adults Autism Diagnoses

During quarter ending 31 December 2023, there were 22 diagnoses of autism in adults across Northern Ireland, a decrease of 51.1% since 31 December 2022 (Figure 2). Table 3 sets out the number of autism diagnoses for adults in Northern Ireland from 31 December 2021 to 31 December 2023. Table 4 sets out the annual number of autism diagnoses for adults from year ending 31 March 2019 to year ending 31 March 2023. Please note that since 31 March 2021 the Northern HSC Trust has been unable to provide figures in regards to the number of adult autism diagnosis; therefore, the Northern Ireland figures since then relate to the Belfast, South Eastern, Southern, and Western HSC Trust’s only.

Table 3: Number of new autism diagnosis for adults from 31 December 2021 to 31 December 2023

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 2021	19
31 Mar 2022	40
30 Jun 2022	40
30 Sep 2022	40
31 Dec 2022	45
31 Mar 2023	32
30 Jun 2023	20
30 Sep 2023	22
31 Dec 2023	22

Figure 2: Number of new autism diagnosis for adults in Northern Ireland from 30 June 2017 to 31 December 2023

Download data:

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 new autism diagnosis for adults by HSC Trust for years ending 31 March 2019 to 31 March 2023

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 2019	Year ending 31 March 2020	Year ending 31 March 2021	Year ending 31 March 2022	Year ending 31 March 2023
Belfast	23	27	[S]	22	50
Northern	109	144	27	[NA]	[NA]
South Eastern	36	35	29	71	93
Southern	11	10	[S]	0	6
Western	0	0	[S]	12	8
Northern Ireland	179	216	65	105	157

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. Previous quarters may be amended upon receipt of revised returns.

Limitations

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

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