§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What percentage of adults with Asperger's Syndrome are not diagnosed until beyond 16 years of age. [HL154]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe number of people being identified as having Asperger's Syndrome is increasing. Although more people are being diagnosed in childhood, improvements in diagnosis are also resulting in the initial identification of adults with this disorder. A recent analysis by the National Autistic Society of data from 450 parents of adults with autistic spectrum disorders suggested that 46 per cent of adults with Asperger's Syndrome were not diagnosed until after the age of 16.
Screening, diagnosis and early interventions in autism are being addressed by a group chaired by Professor Ann Le Couteur. We will consider what further action on diagnosis might be necessary in the light of that group's report.