Nobody knows for sure what causes the condition. According to the National Mental Health Association, several studies indicate that it may stem from a combination of factors, including exposure to a virus in the womb, an immune system disorder, and genetics. About one in 100 children with autism will go on to have a normal adulthood, but the great majority have lifelong symptoms. While autism has no cure, many children with the condition learn to speak, read, write, and interact with others through behavioral and educational therapy. Such programs can also help them master basic skills, such as using a toilet and getting dressed.
Experts disagree about what type of therapy works best.
Some doctors recommend highly structured training sessions that can require as much as 40 hours a week. Using this approach, a therapist may spend hours repeatedly asking your child to make eye contact, rewarding each success with a smile or applause. But a growing number of researchers now believe that less intense treatments in natural, everyday settings can be just as effective, especially when started early in a child's life. With proper training, you can turn a trip to the park into a quick lesson in social skills by praising your child for talking to and playing with other children. The success of any treatment program will depend on a variety of factors, but your child's intellectual level and amount of brain dysfunction will tend to dictate the best approach.