The Department of Health has today published ‘The Prevalence of
Autism (including Aspergers Syndrome) in School age Children in
Northern Ireland. Annual report 2025'. These figures have been
extracted from the Northern Ireland School Census provided by the
Department of Education.
Key Facts and Figures:
The estimated prevalence of autism within the school aged
population in Northern Ireland was 5.9% in 2024/25.
There was a marked difference in the prevalence rates of autism
between the sexes, with males 2.5 times more likely to be
identified with autism than females.
The Northern Ireland urban population has a statistically
significant higher prevalence rate of autism than the rural
population.
Using the NI Multiple Deprivation Measure (MDM) ranking, in
2024/25 the rate of autism in the most deprived MDM decile was
38% higher than the Northern Ireland average.
In 2024/25, 18% of children diagnosed with autism did not have
any special educational needs, and 63% were classified at Stage 3
of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Assessment, indicating
they had a Statement of SEN.
Notes to Editors:
- This information was collated by Community Information Branch
within the Department of Health.
- A statistical release of The Prevalence of Autism (including
Aspergers Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland is
published on a yearly basis.
- Statistics detailed within the publication were sourced from
the Department of Education and is taken from information
collated for the annual School Census. It includes the number of
school aged children diagnosed with Autism (including Aspergers)
by HSC Trust area, Urban/Rural area, area deprivation (Multiple
Deprivation Measure), gender, school year, and special
educational needs assessment.
- Similar statistics relating to the year 2025/26 are due for
release in May 2026.
- This publication is available online at: Autism Statistics link.
