CDC: Autism Prevalence Increases

A new government study says 1 in 50 children in the U.S. has autism, surpassing previous studies.

FOX News Radio’s Courtney Kealy reports:

According to a new estimate released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 in 50 school age children has autism, that would mean at least one million children have autism.

But the CDC says the study was conducted over the phone with more than 95,000 parents in 2011 and 2012. More than a quarter of the parents contacted did not agree to answer questions and the number of parents with autistic children may have been more enthusiastic in participating in the survey.

The earlier number of 1 in 88 comes from a study that looks at medical and school records instead of relying on parents and is considered more rigorous by many.

Courtney Kealy, FOX News Radio.