1 in 100 Children Have Autism

Two new government studies indicate about 1 in 100 children have autism disorders – higher than a previous U.S. estimate of 1 in 150.

The new estimate would mean about 673,000 American children have autism. Previous estimates put the number at about 560,000.

President Barack Obama has made autism a priority for research, Insel said. Federal stimulus money has been earmarked for autism, and a 2006 law pumped millions of dollars of new federal money into autism research, screening and treatment.

American Academy of Pediatrics