A federal government study conducted in several states including Arizona shows the rate of autism is on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said autism cases are more common today than they were just seven years ago.
The study shows about one in 68 children is autistic or has a related disorder. That means about 1.2 million U.S. children and teens are affected by it. The CDC said that it is a 30 percent jump from 2012.
Autism causes difficulty in verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction. It is commonly identified in children at a young age.
Health officials said the latest report could mean doctors are diagnosing autism more frequently and that more people are aware of the condition.
Researchers gathered information from 11 states including Arizona, Colorado and Utah.
