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A prevalence study of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Russia
Oksana I Talantseva1,2, Raisa S Romanova1,3, Julia E Kuznetsova1
1Center for Cognitive Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sirius, Russia.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|April 27, 2026
Summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) prevalence in Russia is significantly underestimated by official data. This study found a much higher rate, highlighting barriers to diagnosis and treatment for children with ASD.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Public Health
Background:
- Global Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) prevalence is rising, but data from Russia and similar middle-income countries are scarce.
- Official Russian statistics report a low ASD prevalence (0.41 per 1,000), indicating significant underdiagnosis compared to global estimates (32.2 per 1,000).
- Limited understanding of ASD prevalence and diagnostic barriers in Russia necessitates population-based research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide the first population-based prevalence estimate of ASD among elementary school children in Russia.
- To investigate barriers hindering ASD diagnosis and treatment access in the Russian context.
- To compare epidemiological findings with existing administrative data.
Main Methods:
- A two-phase epidemiological study was conducted on 34,847 elementary school students (grades 1-3) in Russia.
- Utilized standardized instruments including the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd ed. (ADOS-2), and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R).
- Employed Bayesian regression to estimate ASD prevalence, correcting for potential screening misclassification, with a 25.6% participation rate in the diagnostic phase.
Main Results:
- The estimated ASD prevalence was 22.2 per 1,000 children (95% CIs: 18.6-36.0), significantly higher than official administrative data.
- ASD was more commonly identified in students within special education and resource classes compared to general education settings.
- Bayesian sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of prevalence estimates across various sensitivity and specificity values.
Conclusions:
- Official administrative data considerably underestimate ASD prevalence in Russia.
- Systemic barriers, including restricted access to diagnostic services and social stigma, impede ASD identification and care.
- Addressing these barriers is crucial for enhancing early detection and service provision for children with ASD in Russia and similar settings.
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