Some question whether Kaufman was diagnosed properly as a young boy. Bryna Siegel, director of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders Clinic at UC San Francisco, said she knows of two colleagues who examined Kaufman before his parents began working with him and did not believe he was autistic, although he did have severe language difficulties and was withdrawn. His parents took him to numerous experts before the diagnosis was made. I don't think he met full diagnostic criteria. His mother disagrees vehemently, saying he exhibited all the classic signs and that she has written proof of his diagnosis.
Doctors analyze whether a child exhibits specified behaviors before reaching a conclusion.
Now, a Los Angeles-based group of parents and clinicians dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for autism, said she finds Kaufman's story inspiring. The research has suggested that about 4 percent of these people recover for no known reason. Siegel, whose clinic at UC San Francisco has seen nearly 2,500 autistic children, said the approach used by the Kaufmans is beneficial for some children but not all. For example, it can be useful for those with behavior problems who understand speech, she said. Others find it valuable, however.