Can children recover from autism?

Autism affects the lives of many children, but what we know about it is limited. A great deal of effort goes into coping with the condition and raising public awareness. Now it has been found that about 10% of children with autism may recover.

One child who showed it is possible is Leo Lytel, who had autism but by the age of nine had completely recovered. The process took long behavioural training.

Many observers doubt such recovery is possible, but Dr Deborah Fein, professor of psychology at the University of Connecticut, is convinced it is. She presented a study, carried out with colleagues in Chicago, of 20 children who were clearly diagnosed with autism and who, years later, are no longer classed as autistic. The study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, included children aged 9 to 18.

One of them was Leo, who used to avoid eye contact, repeat words and spin in circles, all typical signs of autism. Today he is a third-grader who speaks clearly and is sociable; his teacher calls him "a leader".

Autism support groups welcomed the research but said it is too early to claim we fully understand how recovery happens. Earlier studies suggested that 3 to 25% of children may recover from autism, while Dr Fein's work puts it at 10 to 20%. Even so, despite many treatments and special education, most people with autism remain autistic.

Dr Fein adds that recovery is an unlikely outcome and parents shouldn't be misled by it, but it is a real possibility. Some children are also wrongly diagnosed when they only have social difficulties that don't fit autism.

Her team is now assessing the children who recovered for their nerve, psychological and language function, and comparing brain scans of autistic and typical children: the brains of autistic children tend to be slightly larger. They are also imaging brain activity, as normal activity goes with normal behaviour. The results are still being studied.

Most of the children who recovered had long-term behavioural therapy of 30 to 40 hours a week. They had normal intelligence, relatively mild autism, and treatment that started soon after diagnosis. Most had good motor development, able to hold a pencil, walk and climb by the age of two.

None relapsed, but three quarters later developed other problems such as tics (involuntary face movements), phobias and attention disorders, and eight still have them.