As many as 1 in 64 British children could have autism spectrum disorders, according to the most comprehensive look at the prevalence of autism among British children to date.

Previous estimates indicated that about 1 percent, or 500,000 British children are diagnosed with autism. But the new data published in the June issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry indicates that many kids qualify for a diagnosis but don’t have one, bringing the true number of children with autism to as many as 750,000.

Researchers at the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University who conducted the study attribute the rise to an increase in awareness and a broader definition of who qualifies for the autism spectrum, reports The (London) Independent. To read more click here.

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