Health / autism 1 in 88 Kids Have Autism CDC estimate is double what it was a decade ago By Kate Seamons, Newser Staff Posted Mar 29, 2012 9:30 AM CDT Copied In this Dec. 21, 2011, photo, Joe Hill and his wife Sandy relax with their sons Gunnar, 3, left, and Deacon, 4, who both have autism. (AP Photo/The Virginian-Pilot, Preston Gannaway) The CDC released new autism estimates today, and the numbers are pretty scary: About 1 in 88 kids have autism, according to the report. That's up 25% from the CDC's 2006 analysis, and twice the reach officials said it had a decade ago, reports Reuters. The AP adds that officials say the increase is due mainly to broader screening and improved diagnosis. (More autism stories.) Report an error