Does Autism Go Away With Age?
Research shows that between 3% and 25% of children with autism eventually demonstrate marked improvement that leads to the removal of their initial autism diagnosis. The most substantial improvement often results from behavioral intervention such as applied behavior analysis (ABA).
Over the years, researchers have also noticed that key predictors for better outcomes include relatively high levels of:
- Motor development
- Intelligence (high intelligence quotient - IQ)
- Receptive language, imitation, and motor development
The presence of mental impairments, seizures, and genetic conditions are described as indicators of less favorable outcomes.
In some cases, when a child with autism appears to outgrow symptoms, questions still remain about whether the maladaptive behaviors and language deficits simply resolved over time or was the original diagnosis wrong. A study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) provided helpful insight regarding these questions.
Research Offers Useful Insight
The NIMH-supported study compared an ‘optimal outcome’ group of children in mainstream classrooms who were previously diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder before the age of five to a similar group of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Researchers used a comprehensive set of observational and cognitive tests along with parent questionnaires to assess both groups. The results showed that the optimal outcome group had milder social and language problems at an early age than the children in the higher-functioning autism spectrum disorder group.
Furthermore, both groups demonstrated similar types of communication problems and repetitive behaviors, but the symptoms displayed by the optimal outcome group did not meet the criteria for autism. These findings indicate that their initial diagnosis was not wrong. Instead, the combination of early detection and intervention with milder impairments at diagnosis led to adaptive, social, and cognitive skills in the normal range that allowed the children in the optimal outcome group to return to mainstream classrooms. For most children with autism, early intervention provides the best opportunity to overcome obstacles.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Autism is described as a spectrum disorder, as the level of symptom severity may vary dramatically from one child to the next. For instance, a child with mild autistic symptoms that are managed through behavioral intervention at an early age may be better able to demonstrate adaptive skills than a child who is diagnosed with this disorder during adolescence or adulthood.
Due to increased awareness and improved diagnostic tools, autism spectrum disorder can be accurately diagnosed quite early in young children under the age of two or three. Research consistently shows that early detection, diagnosis, and intervention for autism have significant, positive, and long-term impacts on symptoms. Early intervention typically has lasting effects that also influence behavior and language skills during adolescence and adulthood.
If a young child is given an autism diagnosis it is imperative to begin intervention services promptly, as some children who have this condition begin to regress shortly before turning two or right after they reach this age.
Early intervention programs usually include:
- Physical therapy
- Nutrition services
- Occupational therapy
- Behavioral therapy (e.g., ABA)
- Family education and training
- Speech and language therapy
Previously, most programs for children with autism focused on treatment approaches for older children who were of preschool age. However, the focus has shifted to expanding such services to children under the age of three based on ABA principles that govern how babies and toddlers learn and communicate.
During the stages of infancy and early childhood, the brain is still forming and demonstrates remarkable plasticity—the ability to rapidly change and adapt. As children get older, the level of plasticity slowly begins to decrease. This is one of the main reasons why early intervention that begins as early as two or three years old improves the likelihood of positive outcomes for children with autism.
Main Goals of Early Intervention
The primary goals of early intervention programs for young children with autism include improving:
- Cognitive skills
- Motor movement
- Social skills and development
- Emotion regulation and coping skills
- Language and communication skills
With early intervention, some children who are diagnosed with autism may be able to make so much progress that they may no longer display traits that are characteristic of autism spectrum disorder when they are older. If additional steps are taken to help a child maintain optimal adaptive and coping skills such as ongoing therapy throughout adolescence, residual autistic behaviors may remain at an almost undetectable level throughout adulthood.
Conclusion
Although a child cannot outgrow autism and it does not completely go away, in some cases, early intervention can dramatically reduce symptoms of autism—allowing children who are diagnosed with this disorder to be less governed by autistic traits.
Children with autism who have mild behavioral and language problems are also more likely to demonstrate minimal symptoms as they get older, particularly those who receive early behavioral intervention (e.g., ABA).
Songbird Therapy is a technology-enabled provider setting a higher standard for children’s autism care. With a deeply passionate team and innovative technology, we’re building a world where every child can access world-class care at home, uniquely tailored to them.
Adapting a therapeutic plan is important when children go through various developmental changes during their early lives. Our dedicated therapists adapt each child’s plan to key changes, helping your child effectively manage daily activities and transition through life as smoothly as possible.
