CDC says 1 in 68 U.S. children has autism

The CDC says 1 out of every 68 children in the United States registers on the autism spectrum. That's an increase from two years earlier, when it was determined 1 in 88 kids had autism spectrum disorder -- a 30 percent increase.

The new figure was calculated using updated health and educational records of more than 5,300 8-year-olds in 11 states, including Alabama, Wisconsin, Colorado, Missouri, Georgia, Arkansas, Arizona, Maryland, North Carolina, Utah and New Jersey. The records compiled are from 2010.

The CDC's report highlighted a variety information about autism, including the fact that the majority of kids with autism aren't diagnosed until they are over four years old, even though the condition is identifiable at age two.

The earlier autism is identified and treated, the greater the chance its negative effects can be mitigated.

Also according the report, boys were nearly five times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.

"We need to continue our efforts to educate the health care community and general public to recognize the developmental problems associated with ASD and other developmental disorders at earliest age possible, so that intervention can be initiated, bad habits can be avoided and families will know what's wrong with their child," Dr. Max Wiznitzer, a pediatric neurologist, told CNN.

[CDC] [CNN]