JAMA Pediatrics Study: October 2023 released a study, Persistence of Autism Spectrum Disorder From Early Childhood Through School Age.

Findings of the 213 children in this cohort study, 79 (37%) had non-persistent ASD. Higher baseline adaptive functioning and female sex were associated with non-persistent ASD.

Oct. 11, 2023 – According to a new study from Boston Children’s Hospital researchers found that more than a third of toddlers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder outgrew the disorder by the time they were about 6 years old. The findings were published this month in JAMA Pediatrics.

ASHA Wire noted that some children with autism may LOSE their diagnosis as children.

“Diagnoses can evolve as a child develops,” says Elizabeth Harstad, a developmental medicine physician, who led the study. “Our research shows how important it is that we monitor kids over time, because some children may really have changes in their social communication and behavioral function. This underscores the need for continuous assessments and adaptable intervention strategies.”

The study found no meaningful association between the intensity of a child’s interventions and their chance of keeping their autism diagnosis, indicating the need for more research to understand the role that intervention may have in children who outgrow their diagnosis.

“Children who no longer have autism at age 6 may have responded better to treatment than children whose autism persisted,” said William Barbaresi, chief of developmental medicine and a senior study author. “The findings of the study should cause a very frank reconsideration of the need for far more research to understand if current treatment for autism is working, or if major new efforts to develop treatment approaches are needed.”

“Instead, perhaps an ASD diagnosis given at a young age (such as < 3 years old) should be thought of as an early ‘ASD profile,‘” Harstad explained. “A condition which requires support and interventions but should be assessed again in future years to determine if the symptoms persist or not.”

What You Can Do

We at Naturally Recovering Autism believe in inclusivity and in helping all people with autism live to their full potential in the happiest, healthiest, and most fulfilling life possible for them.

Adaptive behaviors can be improved. Significant language issues, or behavioral issues need to be addressed…but how?

This is where it is important to educate and to show the significance of the similarities between the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) that is used to diagnose a child with autism, and the symptoms of toxins, coinfections and other issues causing inflammation and disturbance to normal brain function.

For a full list of the criteria in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) and its similarities to underlying root causes in biology that we CAN work with to relieve symptoms of autism please listen to, What Causes the Symptoms of Autism? [Podcast Episode #134]

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