Is autism on the rise in Ireland?

[jenniferm]

AND THEY HAVE TO ASK????

 Is autism on the rise in Ireland?
Herald.ie, Ireland 

The number of children diagnosed is soaring but as families reach out for help, the HSE admits it's struggling to cope, reports Fiachra O'Cionnaith

AUTISM services across the country are struggling to meet the needs of children desperate for help because they are being swamped by a "huge increase" in demand.

Confirming the situation in an official response to a parliamentary question, the HSE has stated that the "huge increase" in the number of children being sent to specialist autism services is making it almost impossible to meet demand.

It highlighted the reality that the high number of children being diagnosed with the condition is now forcing a rationing of the service on offer to the children and their families affected.

. . . Waiting

The worrying situation in the treatment of authtisum emerged at the same time as it was confirmed that almost 3,600 children are now waiting to see a psychiatrist.

Of these, more than a thousand will be waiting in excess of a year.

There are now 465 more children and teens are on waiting lists to see a psychiatrist than there were only two years ago.

    GEEEZZZZZ............. Why would it be?  It isn't in the U.S.? They tell us all the time it's just better diagnosing.  I'm sure it is in Ireland too.