While children with autism can develop some normal and occasionally even advanced skills, they also exhibit a wide range of behavioral deficiencies and excesses. Sometimes incredible indifference to physical pain. Absent or delayed speech and language even though cognitive abilities may be manifest. Abnormal ways of relating to people, object, and events. Extreme reactions to changes in routine.
Early diagnosis is critical.
Many times they are right. But for those remaining children, where autism is the cause, time lost due to misdiagnosis can be disastrous. There is hope. But immediate and intensive treatment is essential. And proper diagnosis is obviously the first step down this path.