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Over one third of adults with severe learning disabilities living in private households in England have autism according to new NHS report

The Mental Elf, 2012

Over one third of adults with severe learning disabilities living in private households in England have autism according to new NHS report » The Mental Elf
Adults with a more severe learning disability also have a greater likelihood of having autism according to a new report published by the NHS Information Centre.
The report combines data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) 2007 with findings from a new study based on a sample of people with learning disabilities living in private households and communal care establishments.
Estimate the prevalence of autism in England, furthering previous research that suggests people with learning disabilities are more likely to have autism
Is approximately 35 per cent among adults with severe learning disabilities living in private households
Is approximately 31 per cent among adults with mild or severe learning disabilities living in communal care establishments
In terms of the new study that forms part of today’s report; a sample of adults from disability registers in Leicestershire, Lambeth and Sheffield, were invited to take part between August 2010 and April 2011.
People were excluded from the new study if they were sufficiently able to have taken part in the APMS 2007
While is it is important to note that these estimates are based on a study of only three areas of the country, they offer a new insight into the prevalence of autism among people with learning disabilities.
This information will be of particular importance for those who plan and provide services to support those with learning disabilities or with autism.