Some Children Can "Outgrow" Autism Symptoms, Study Says

But other experts are cautious of news

Some children who are diagnosed with autism can lose or outgrow their symptoms as they get older, according to researchers. The study, conducted by the National Institutes of Health, challenged the belief that autism is a lifelong condition. The University of Connecticut's Dr. Deborah Fein studied 34 children who had been diagnosed with autism in childhood but who went on to function as well as 34 other students. They found that, based on both cognitive and observational tests, they were indistinguishable from their peers and showed no signs of problems with language, face recognition, communication or social interaction. But experts still urge caution. Dr Judith Gould still said: "Autism is a lifelong disability affecting the way that people communicate and interact with others. This study is looking at a small sample of high functioning people with autism and we would urge people not to jump to conclusions about the nature and complexity of autism, as well its longevity." (BBC)

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