Some children may 'grow out' of autism, suggests study
- Theory that children can 'recover' from autism is controversial
Development: Children or teenagers diagnosed with autism alongside early hearing problems were less likely to be considered autistic later on
Many children diagnosed with autism at a young age no longer display symptoms when they are older, researchers say.
A study published in the journal Pediatrics, found one-third of youngsters who had ever
been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder no longer had the
diagnosis at the time their parents were surveyed.
The researchers noted in their report,
published in Pediatrics, that past studies have also found some children who originally have an autism spectrum disorder eventually lose
that diagnosis and are no longer considered autistic.
However, whether this is due to a mistaken first diagnosis or actual changes taking place in their brains is controversial.
A team, led by Dr Andrew Zimmerman from Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, studied data from a phone survey of 92,000 parents of children aged 17 and younger in the U.S in 2007 and 2008.
In total, 1,366 said their child had a past or current diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder. In 453 of those cases, children had been diagnosed by a doctor of having a disorder but parents said they didn't have one anymore.
The researchers found children with a learning disability or delayed development were more likely to continue to be classed as autistic. The same was true for older children who also suffered from epilepsy and anxiety.
However, children or teenagers with early hearing problems were less likely to be considered autistic later on.
The team noted that autism tends to go hand in hand with a variety of other mental and behavioural disorders.
They speculated these could complicate the diagnosis, or slow down any improvement in children
who do get diagnosed and treated early.
Experts disagree about whether it's possible for kids who are diagnosed correctly with one of the autism-spectrum disorders to improve to the point where they are no longer affected.
Professor Johhn Matson, at Louisiana State University said: 'When you're autistic, you're autistic. It's a very stable condition.'
He said even when symptoms improve, people with autism have to keep getting treatment and work to maintain that progress.
Dr Zimmerman argued that recognizing autism early and starting treatment can increase the likelihood for real, lasting improvement.
'It's not unusual to see a child start out with more severe autism and
then become more moderate and even mild as the years go by.
'A lot of the
kids are improving, and we don't really know why, except we know
there's a lot of moldability of the developing brain,' he said.
'We think that earlier treatment is essential and there are reasons to think that we can improve the kids. I'm very optimistic.'
Dr Georgina Gomez-de-la-Cuesta, Action Research Leader for The National Autistic Society, said: 'Autism is a serious, lifelong and
disabling condition - a child with autism will grow up to be an adult
'While there is no cure for autism, securing the right support, implementing strategies to manage behaviours and creating the best environment can help manage anxieties and sensory difficulties associated with the condition.
'Although this could lead to improvements
in behaviour, the underlying autism remains and can continue to pose
very real challenges at every stage in life.'
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