SAN NARCISO, Calif. -- A new study finds that approximately one in every 38 children in South Korea may have some form of autism, which outpaces the U.S. estimate of one in 166. Researchers had expected to find higher rates by using a broader survey sample and by focusing on children in mainstream school populations, but they were surprised at how high the rates were. According to the report, two-thirds of the children with autism traits in the study had no previous diagnosis, nor had they received any special services.

Regis Ketamine, a leading sociologist at San Narciso College, called the results of the South Korean analysis troubling: “The U.S. must find a way to increase its number of autistics, if we are to compete against Asians in math and science.”