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  • The prevalence of autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in school age children in Northern Ireland 2014 to 2023

    Topics:
    • Mental health and learning disabilities, 
    • DoH Statistics and Research, 
    • Mental health, learning disability and autism statistics

    Date published: 18 May 2023

    Last updated: 15 May 2025

    These annual reports aim to build information over time to show the prevalence rate of autism amongst the compulsory school age population. Analyses are provided by health and social care trust, gender, school year, special educational needs and multiple deprivation measure.

    Note regarding the 2023/24 publication: 

    The data used to produce the “Prevalence of Autism in School Aged Children in Northern Ireland” is sourced from the School Census, collated by Department of Education. Regretfully, the 2023/24 School Census data collection was impacted by industrial action, due to ongoing Action Short of Strike. Although data was received from all schools, for 25% of schools (primary, post primary and special schools) it was not been possible to obtain pupil level information. This means that for these schools, pupil level information relating to special education needs and medical conditions was not available. The Department of Education was therefore unable to provide key information required to produce this report.

    It was therefore agreed with DE that it was not possible to produce “Prevalence of Autism in School Aged Children in Northern Ireland” for the year 2023/24.

    Further information on the impact of ASOS on School Census data can be found in the notes section of the Department of Education bulletin.

    Documents

    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland 2023Adobe PDF (1.05 MB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland 2023 – Accessible VersionAdobe PDF (1.01 MB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland Tables 2023Microsoft Excel (21.82 KB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland 2022Adobe PDF (1.11 MB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland 2022 – Accessible VersionAdobe PDF (1.12 MB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland Tables 2022Microsoft Excel (21.31 KB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland 2021Adobe PDF (927.69 KB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland 2021 – Accessible VersionAdobe PDF (728.62 KB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland Tables 2021Microsoft Excel (20.76 KB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Aspergers Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland 2020Adobe PDF (941.86 KB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland Tables 2020Microsoft Excel (18.27 KB)
    • The prevalence of autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in school age children in Northern Ireland 2019Adobe PDF (1.84 MB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland Tables 2019Microsoft Excel (17.47 KB)
    • The prevalence of autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in school age children in Northern Ireland 2018Adobe PDF (1.42 MB)
    • The prevalence of autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in school age children in Northern Ireland tables 2018Microsoft Excel (16.75 KB)
    • The prevalence of autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in school age children in Northern Ireland 2017Adobe PDF (1.7 MB)
    • The prevalence of autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in school age children in Northern Ireland tables 2017Microsoft Excel (16.42 KB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland 2016Adobe PDF (1.76 MB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland Tables 2016Microsoft Excel (15.12 KB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland 2015Adobe PDF (1.87 MB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland Tables 2015Microsoft Excel (36.67 KB)
    • The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland 2014Adobe PDF (1.33 MB)
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