The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 88 children have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This represents a 23% increase from the previous report in 2009, and a 78% increase from the 2007 report.
The finding is based on data collected in 14 areas of the country in 2008, comprising over 8% of the population of 8-year-olds.
Other findings in CDC’s report include:
- ASDs are almost five times more common among boys than girls;
- the largest increases were among Hispanic and black children; and
- while a growing number of children are being diagnosed at earlier ages, most are not diagnosed until after they reach age 4.
