Is there a cure?

There is currently no known ‘cure’ for autism. This does not mean, however, that nothing can be done to help a person with autism. Our understanding of autism has grown tremendously since it was first identified in the 1940s, and as we learn more about the condition, more treatments and interventions will undoubtedly become available.

Because autism is a ‘spectrum’ disorder it affects different people in different ways. It is therefore very difficult to generalise about how a person with autism will develop over time. It is particularly important to realise that an intervention - where intervention is considered necessary - which works well with one individual may not be appropriate or effective with another.

The symptoms and characteristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations. Both children and adults can exhibit any combination of autistic behaviours in varying degrees of severity . This means that two children, both with the same diagnosis, can act very differently from one another and have varying skills.

Contrary to what many people imagine, however, some children and adults with autism may make eye contact, show affection, smile and laugh, and demonstrate a variety of other emotions. Some go on to hold down responsible employment, have relationships with others, marry and raise children. Like anyone else, people with autism respond to their environment in both positive and negative ways and change as they mature. Many people with autism have an ability to focus on detail and may have good powers of concentration on a single activity provided it is of interest to them. This means they can often achieve a very high level of skill in a particular area. Children with autism can be especially good at learning facts, skills and talents. People with autism tend to be very honest and, if communication skills develop, will report things very accurately and openly.