Childrens Quarterly Autism statistics

Childrens Quarterly Autism statistics

Published 31 January 2024 (Revised 8 Febuary 2024)

Theme: Childrens Quarterly Autism statistics for Northern Ireland
Purpose: For information
Authors (statisticians): Heidi Rodgers, Deborah Kinghan
Publication date: 31 January 2024 (Revised 8 Febuary 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. Children’s Autism Referrals

During quarter ending 31 December 2023, there were 1,439 accepted children’s referrals for an autism assessment in Northern Ireland, an increase of 1.2% since 31 December 2022 (Figure 1). Table 1 sets out the number of accepted autism referrals for children from 31 December 2022 to 31 December 2023 by Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust. Table 2 sets out the rate of accepted autism referrals for children during year ending 31 March 2023. Due to missing data South Eastern HSC Trust October 2023 data was rolled forward for November and December 2023. Western HSC Trust December 2023 data was revised in February 2024.

Table 1: Number of accepted autism referrals for children from quarter ending 31 December 2022 to 31 December 2023

Note: Due to missing data South Eastern HSC Trust October 2023 data was rolled forward for November and December 2023. Western HSC Trust December 2023 data was revised in February 2024.

HSC Trust	31 Dec 2022	31 Mar 2023	30 Jun 2023	30 Sep 2023	31 Dec 2023
Belfast	233	300	301	332	285
Northern	440	358	386	456	427
South Eastern	248	202	246	489	252
Southern	274	344	310	312	276
Western	227	240	287	194	199
Northern Ireland	1,422	1,444	1,530	1,783	1,439

Figure 1: Number of accepted autism referrals for children in Northern Ireland from quarter ending 30 June 2014 to 31 December 2023

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Since 2014 there has been a general increase in the number of accepted autism referrals for children across Northern Ireland. The dip in referrals for quarters ending 30 June 2020 and 30 September 2020 are likely a result of the increased pressures on HSC Trust’s because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to missing data South Eastern HSC Trust October 2023 data was rolled forward for November and December 2023. Western HSC Trust December 2023 data was revised in February 2024.

Table 2: Rate of accepted autism referrals for children during year ending 31 March 2023

HSC Trust	Number of accepted children’s autism referrals	NI Child Population	Rate per 10,000 children
Belfast	1,126	77,506	145.3
Northern	1,794	109,282	164.2
South Eastern	844	81,712	103.3
Southern	1,118	99,466	112.4
Western	905	73,142	123.7
Northern Ireland	5,787	441,108	131.2

2. Children’s Autism Diagnoses

During quarter ending 31 December 2023, there were 877 children’s autism diagnoses in Northern Ireland, an increase of 38.8% since 31 December 2022 (Figure 2). Table 3 sets out the number of autism diagnoses for children from 31 December 2022 to 31 December 2023 by HSC Trust. Table 4 sets out the rate of autism diagnoses for children during year ending 31 March 2023.Due to missing data South Eastern HSC Trust October 2023 data was rolled forward for November and December 2023. Western HSC Trust December 2023 data was revised in February 2024.

Table 3: Number of new autism diagnosis for children from quarter ending 31 December 2022 to 31 December 2023

Note: Due to missing data South Eastern HSC Trust October 2023 data was rolled forward for November and December 2023. Western HSC Trust December 2023 data was revised in February 2024.

HSC Trust	31 Dec 2022	31 Mar 2023	30 Jun 2023	30 Sep 2023	31 Dec 2023
Belfast	69	115	119	129	138
Northern	208	261	264	250	257
South Eastern	88	125	144	92	165
Southern	139	213	310	280	196
Western	128	147	143	89	121
Northern Ireland	632	861	980	840	877

Figure 2: Number of new autism diagnoses for children in Northern Ireland from quarter ending 30 June 2014 to 31 December 2023

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Figure 2.CSV (2kB)

Figure 2.XLSX (8kB)

Between 2014 and 2019 there was a general increase in the number of autism diagnoses in children across Northern Ireland. The quarters ending 30 June 2020 and 30 September 2020 saw a large decrease in the number of diagnoses of autism; however, this was likely a result of the added pressures on HSC Trust’s due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then the number of diagnoses of autism in children has again increased. Due to missing data South Eastern HSC Trust October 2023 data was rolled forward for November and December 2023. Western HSC Trust December 2023 data was revised in February 2024.

Table 4: Rate of new autism diagnosis for children during year ending 31 March 2023

HSC Trust	Number of children diagnosed with autism	NI Child Population	Rate per 10,000 children
Belfast	369	77,506	47.6
Northern	921	109,282	84.3
South Eastern	374	81,712	45.8
Southern	543	99,466	54.6
Western	519	73,142	71.0
Northern Ireland	2,726	441,108	61.8

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.

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Quarterly data: 25KB

Metadata

The attached tables present the number and the rate of accepted referrals for children’s autism assessments and number of children diagnosed with autism in each of the Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts in Northern Ireland.

Source

Autism figures: Monthly Children’s Autism Minimum Data Set submitted by HSC Trust to Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG). Population figures for rates: NISRA Mid Year Population Estimates.

Validation

Validated aggregate autism information is submitted by each HSC Trust to the SPPG. The SPPG regionally validates the returns upon receipt. Previous quarters’ published figures may be updated following revised returns.

Limitations

Figures relate to under 18s only; however, there may be instances where a person enters the system at under 18 but are over this age at the time of assessment. There will be some different practices between the HSC Trusts which may cause differences in the figures presented.

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