Rise in autism blamed on clinicians diagnosing mild symptoms, study finds

By Andrew Taylor
Updated February 11 2017 - 6:08pm, first published January 23 2017 - 12:18pm
The autism epidemic risk the sustainability of the National Disability Insurance Scheme because of the unexpected number of children with autism accessing the scheme. Photo: Marina Neil
The autism epidemic risk the sustainability of the National Disability Insurance Scheme because of the unexpected number of children with autism accessing the scheme. Photo: Marina Neil
Jordanne Taylor, pictured in September with her mother Debra in Kurrajong Hills, has autism spectrum disorder and receives support from the NDIS. Photo: Wolter Peeters
Jordanne Taylor, pictured in September with her mother Debra in Kurrajong Hills, has autism spectrum disorder and receives support from the NDIS. Photo: Wolter Peeters

The 20-fold increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism in the past 30 years is due to clinicians diagnosing less severe autism in children, a study has found.