As the child grows up, much of the distressing behaviour of the early years grows less. The child may show some interest in social contact, for example. However, they will still resist change and have difficulty in relating to others. Some will learn to speak more naturally, others will need speech therapy. Abilities vary widely from child to child.
Adolescence is another difficult period, where behaviour again becomes exaggerated.
This eventually improves as the person becomes adult. Autism becomes more obvious in adolescence with abnormalities in facial and body movements more apparent. High functioning adolescents with autism often suffer from severe depression. There is no cure for autism. Most require continual care in a structured, predictable environment.