Just over one in 100 children in Singapore have autism

Just over over one in 100 children in Singapore have autism Ms Hellen Yong with her husband John Lim and children (from left) Lim Yi Wen, Lim Yi Zhe and Lim Yi Xuan, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of four.

- Shermaine Ang

More than one in 100 children at the age of 18 months here have autism the age when kids can be screened for the condition.

A local study published in 2023 by the National University Hospital (NUH) and National University Polyclinics found that among 5,336 children aged around 18 months, the prevalence of autism here was 1.1 per cent, or roughly just over one in 100 children.

The prevalence of autism neuro-developmental condition here was estimated at one in 150 children in 2016.

Overall, the number of children aged six and below with developmental needs, which include speech and language delay and behavioural problems, has increased by 32 per cent from 5,300 in 2019, to 7,000 in 2023.

Among those diagnosed with such needs, about 20 per cent have autism.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) released these figures in response to queries from The Straits Times, providing the latest data from the Child Development Programme at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) and NUH.

Doctors say the rise largely stems from increased awareness and screening.

An MOH spokesman said: "The overall better early detection can be attributed to various efforts to encourage parents to take their a children for Childhood Developmental Screening at appropriate touchpoints, so that children who may need interventions are identified early."

For instance, developmental checks on personal-social and motor skills, as well as language, are conducted together with the recommended childhood vaccinations to make it more convenient for families.

Associate Professor Lourdes Mary Daniel, head and senior consultant at the Department of Child Development at KKH, said there is improved awareness of autism symptoms.

Other factors associated with increased likelihood of autism include mothers being over 40 years of age at the child's birth, and birth prematurity of less than 35 weeks of gestation, or birth weight under 2.5kg, she said.