A small study that was funded by the National Institute of Health indicates that between 10 and 20 percent of children with autism can recover from it.

Dr. Deborah Fein of the University of Connecticut studied 20 children who had been diagnosed with autism before age five years, but who no longer met the criteria by age seven or so.

• The children tended to have above-average IQs and suffered only mild symptoms when diagnosed.
• They recovered by undergoing intensive behavioral therapy that took between thirty and forty hours per week.
• About three-fourths of them still had other problems such as nervous tics, attention deficit disorder, and phobias.

Dr. Fein and her colleagues will perform MRIs on the children who recovered to determine if physical changes occurred in their brains.

Previous studies found that between three and 25 percent of autistic kids can recover. However, Dr. Fein cautioned that recovery is "not a realistic expectation for the majority of kids."

During the upcoming summer months, children with Asperger Syndrome, high-fuctioning autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, learning disabilities, and related conditions may benefit from attending a summer camp for exceptional children.

Labels: autism, studies

Posted By: Aspen/CRC