Currently we do not know the full cause of autism. We do know that, in layman’s terms, messages in the brain can seem confusing for the autistic person and, therefore, their responses and reactions can seem ego centric, bazaar, detached and non-communicative.

Researchers say that autism probably has a genetic base. There is nothing that a parent can do to stop their child form being autistic. Autism is a life long condition.

Autism in its self does not respond to medication or other conservative treatments. However, some researchers claim that music therapy, exercise therapy, behavioral intervention therapy, vitamin and diet regimes do have an influence upon autism and that programs organized by trained persons can increase the autistic person’s potential.

If the autistic person has some condition that needs medical treatment (i.e. epilepsy, diabetes, depression etc.) then medical advice should be followed.

70% of all autistic persons will also have an intellectual disability. This means that if your child is intellectually disabled and autistic, they would need to attend a special school with appropriately trained teachers.

If your child is not intellectually disabled they may still be happier receiving their education from autism trained teachers at a school for autistic children. However, some high functioning children do well in ordinary schools. It is good to be guided by trained staff who know you and your child.

Most autistic people, especially if they are not intellectually disabled, want very much to achieve their goals. Therefore, over time they will develop strategies to help them learn and understand the world around them.

This means that they themselves can usually control their autistic behaviors. At times of stress, however, they may revert to autistic behavior as an automatic response. So, yes, able autistic adults are not usually plagued by the same fears and anxieties as they were when they were children.

© Wendy Lawson 1998

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