A boy plays with seeds during therapy at the therapy and development centre for autistic kids in the Asociacion Guatemalteca por el Autismo, or Guatemalan Association for Autism, building in Guatemala City March 13, 2014. Nine children, from 6-14 years ol
IN PHOTO: A boy plays with seeds during therapy at the therapy and development centre for autistic kids in the Asociacion Guatemalteca por el Autismo, or Guatemalan Association for Autism, building in Guatemala City March 13, 2014. Nine children, from 6-14 years old, with autism are enrolled at the centre which provides activities and therapies catered to them. The centre is the only one in the country that specifically conducts programs for autistic children, according to the association. Reuters

A recent survey has revealed that more children are being diagnosed with autism in Australia. However, the researchers are unsure whether it is because of early diagnosis or if the condition is actually prevalent within the country.

The survey, conducted by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, studied the development of around 10,000 children in two groups at an interval of two years. The development of the first group was assessed from the time of their birth, while the second-group children were recruited when they were in preschool.

When the children were aged between 6 and 7 years and 10 and 11 years, respectively, their parents were asked to report if their child has been diagnosed of the autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. If yes, the parents were also asked to report the severity of the disorder and the age at which their child was diagnosed of ASD.

The researchers at the institute found that nearly 80 percent of the children who were diagnosed with ASD were boys. In addition, the researchers found that ASD diagnosis was more prevalent in younger children.

At the age of 6 or 7, nearly 2.5 percent of the children were diagnosed with ASD. On the other hand, only 1.5 percent of the children aged between 10 and 11 were diagnosed with the condition. However, the quality of life among all the children diagnosed with ASD was the same. That is, all the children reported of the poorer quality of life among the children, as compared to their non-ASD peers.

“However, it is still not clear whether the difference in prevalence represents a shift to a younger age of diagnosis or a continued increase in diagnosis,” said lead researcher Professor Katrina Williams, in a statement.

Despite several studies and research conducted in the past, the actual reason that causes autism is still unknown. Each year, nearly 1 child in 100 is diagnosed with autism. Autism affects the social, behavioural and communication skills of an individual.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES