Is there an increased prevalence of severe learning disabilities among British Asians?

Age-specific prevalence rates for learning disabilities among the Asian communities in three Metropolitan Boroughs in the North of England are presented. These data indicate that: (1) below school age there is little difference in the apparent prevalence of severe learning disabilities between the Asian and non-Asian communities; (2) between 5 and 34 years of age, however, the apparent prevalence of severe learning disabilities is approximately three times higher among the Asian community when compared with the non-Asian community.