Recently, many questions have been raised about the rate of complete recovery from autism in order to increase families’ awareness of the importance of early treatment for autism spectrum disorder, in addition to the tremendous development in occupational therapy techniques and skill development for autistic patients, which has revived hope in the hearts of families. Therefore, through this article, we will learn together about the rate of recovery, how it is evaluated, and the amazing results that appear on the patient after proper psychological, behavioral, and rehabilitative treatment.
Complete recovery from autism
So far, there is no treatment that leads to a complete recovery from autism because autism spectrum disorder is a neurological disorder that affects development for reasons or genetic factors, but a large percentage of children show significant improvement to the point that the symptoms of autism spectrum disappear by 70%, which is an amazing result when the disease is diagnosed and treated early. Below we learn about the signs of recovery from autism.
1. Improve speech and communication skills
Parents notice an increase in the number of words and sentences spoken by the child, focusing on simple sentences to express his needs. About 50% of children reach very good ability in verbal communication and pronunciation.
2. Improved eye contact
The child improves greatly in eye communication and begins to look into the person’s eyes while talking to him. The percentage of those with good marks in eye communication reached 40 to 60% of children on the autism spectrum.
3. Decreased behavior repetition rate
The rate of repetition of behaviors in the affected child decreases, interest in specific objects and toys decreases, and the repetition of some movements decreases, and the rate of improvement here appeared in 25 to 40% of children.
4. Improved social interaction
The child wants to play with his friends and peers after he was accustomed to playing individually. They also imitate the behavior of others and share their toys. Studies have shown that about 45% of children have made clear progress in social interaction.
5. Acquiring skills that enhance independence
One of the best signs that make parents feel as if treatment has led the child to complete recovery from autism is the acquisition of skills that enhance independence, such as:
- The child's ability to eat on his own.
- Ability to follow a daily routine with supervision.
- Using the bathroom without help from parents.
- About 50% of cases showed a good level of self-reliance.
6. Ability to learn academically
One of the most important signs of improvement is the child’s ability to learn in regular schools and follow the curriculum and study successfully. Studies have shown that the percentage of children who have reached this degree of improvement exceeds 20%.
Of course, the rate of improvement varies from one child to another depending on the severity of autism, the time of diagnosis and medical intervention, and the family support the child receives. You can contact us to learn about the experiences and success stories at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, especially the Rafah Psychiatry Center and the Rehabilitation Therapy Center specializing in treating autistic patients to achieve high recovery rates.
Learn about: Learn about the needs of an autistic child
Does autism last a lifetime?
Yes, autism may last a lifetime, but with minor symptoms and a significant improvement in skills, because it is linked to how the brain works and the development of growth. Therefore, we said that what some people say about complete recovery from autism is not true, but early and continuous work can be done to improve the child’s abilities to speak, communicate, and social interact, which will later make him a completely normal person.
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Yes, an autistic patient may improve with age, but there are conditions to achieve this improvement even if he does not achieve complete recovery from autism, and the most prominent of these conditions are:
- Early intervention and starting behavioral and rehabilitation therapy before 5 years of age.
- Show family support, parents’ participation in the treatment plan, and always encourage the child.
- Ensuring the development of the child’s skills, especially communication skills with others, through group activities and hobbies.
- Maintain continuity in treatment and do not stop suddenly because recovery requires patience and continuous effort.
- Dealing with any problem associated with autism, such as anxiety or hyperactivity disorder, so as not to reduce the rate of improvement.
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Risk factors for autism
Learn with us, dear reader, below are 5 of the most important risk factors for autism. It cannot be said with certainty that these are the only causes or factors, but they are the most common:
1.Sex
There are some studies that indicate an increased incidence of autism in males compared to the number in females, but so far there is no confirmation of the validity of this information.
2. Genetic factors
The most common factors are genetics, a family history of autism or similar disorders, or genetic mutations and chromosomal abnormalities.
3. The mother’s age at pregnancy and childbirth
It is said that cases of autism appear frequently when the mother becomes pregnant at an old age or after 40 years of age, and here the risks to the fetus may increase, and this is not limited to autism only, but also to many neurological disorders and developmental problems.
4. Problems of pregnancy and childbirth
The pregnant mother's exposure to recurrent viral infections, taking medications that affect the fetus' nervous system, or premature birth and complications from lack of oxygen are among the most important risk factors for autism.
5. Suffering from neurological disorders
Having some other neurological and developmental disorders, such as Rett syndrome, may affect brain development and cause autism later on.
Frequently asked questions
Below we answer the most important frequently asked questions that indicate the likelihood of complete recovery from autism:
Does an autistic child recover normally?
Yes, in some cases, with early treatment, continuous follow-up with the child, and not neglecting sessions that strengthen the child’s skills, you may feel as if the child has become normal, but this does not mean complete recovery from autism.
Is autism hereditary from the mother or father?
The cause of autism cannot be determined from the mother or father. Autism is not a direct genetic disease from one of the parents. Rather, the child inherits some genes from one of them, and it may be a defect due to environmental factors during pregnancy.
Can an autistic patient get married and have children?
Yes, an autistic patient can get married and have children, especially with mild or moderate cases of the autism spectrum. The patient may acquire some skills, such as communication skills or independence, with follow-up treatment, which later qualifies him for marriage.
A person may not achieve complete recovery from autism, but with continued treatment and careful medical follow-up, we may achieve significant improvement and amazing results, and this is what we always strive for at the Rafah Psychiatry Center and Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, where we have the latest psychological, behavioral, and rehabilitative treatments that focus on the child’s skills from the beginning and enhance his independence.
Autism Recovery: Is It Possible To Recover From Autism? – goldenstepsaba
