Autistic Spectrum Disorders Changes in the California Caseload, An Update: June 1987 June 2007
May 2009 For the purpose of this report, the term autism refers only to the condition characterized by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) as autistic disorder. Autistic disorder is a specific classification in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) IV TR (American Psychiatric Press, 2000). Unless specifically noted, the numbers and data presented in this report relating to autism do not include counts of persons with other disorders on the autism spectrum, noted below. From June 1987 through June 2007, California experienced a twelve-fold increase in individuals with autism being served by DDS. Projections estimate the total number . . .
