Can Autism Be Reversed? Insights Into New Research
Research on autism spectrum disorder appears to have increased in recent years as more children and adults are diagnosed with this neurodevelopmental condition. In 2024, research on autism symptoms being “reversed” in children has sparked societal discussion regarding whether autism could be curable or reversible in early childhood. Although autism is generally viewed as a lifelong condition and form of neurodiversity, you may find it helpful to consider new research findings and learn how to offer support to a child with autism if you are a parent. Connecting with a licensed mental health professional who specializes in neurodivergence may also be beneficial.
Understanding autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be defined as a neurodevelopmental condition that is present from birth and lasts throughout life. Autism can involve sensory challenges, social difficulties, and communication problems. Generally, autism symptoms occur on a spectrum, impacting individuals in different ways.
Some Autistic people on the spectrum might be nonverbal, meaning that they never use verbal speech, but they may excel at pattern recognition and logical reasoning. Other Autistic people may speak fluently and easily but experience more severe intellectual challenges and sensory difficulties. Each Autistic individual is different, and the symptoms one experiences can change from childhood to adulthood.
Anyone can be diagnosed with autism at any age. However, due to a lack of research on certain groups, BIPOC individuals, women, girls, immigrants, and other marginalized groups may have a more difficult time getting diagnosed. Presentations of autism explored in clinical research often focus on young white males.
For the purpose of diagnosis, some providers use function levels to refer to one’s level of symptom severity, including levels one, two, and three. Level three generally requires the most support from others, whereas level one usually doesn’t need as much support. However, all levels typically experience significant symptom presentation and can struggle in various areas of life.
The official diagnostic criteria for autism include the following:
- Social-emotional deficits, such as difficulty responding when spoken to or difficulty making friends
- Difficulty with nonverbal or verbal communication
- Difficulty understanding and maintaining relationships and social interactions
- Restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities that may involve sensory self-stimulation (stimming), inflexibility, hyperfocus on interests, and difficulty adapting to sensory stimuli
For diagnosis, symptoms must be present before age nine and cause significant impairment in one or more areas of function. They cannot be better explained by an intellectual disability. In some cases, Autistic people may be diagnosed with an intellectual disability and autism at the same time, in which case their social communication must be below what is expected for their developmental level.
Autism research findings in 2024: Can autism be reversed?
In a 2024 study published in the Journal of Personal Medicine, researchers claimed autism symptoms could be reversed in dizygotic (fraternal) twins using applied behavioral analysis (ABA), a behavioral intervention that is often viewed as controversial. The study looked at two twin girls who had been diagnosed with level three autism spectrum disorder, who were almost two years old and nonverbal. A medical team developed several interventions to address the twins' symptoms and used the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) to score them on symptom severity before and after treatment.
The ATEC is commonly used in therapeutic interventions to discern how effective treatment has been in reducing symptoms in certain categories, such as social deficits or rigid behavioral patterns. However, this checklist has been updated and changed over time and is not used by all researchers.
According to researchers, one twin’s score went from 76 to 32 after several months of treatment, whereas the other twin’s score decreased from 43 to four. The researchers concluded that the autism symptoms were “reversed,” with effects remaining up to six months after treatment.
Significant controversy has arisen in response to the publication of this study, with some referring to it as “shoddy research.”
The UK National Autistic Society commented, “This is a case study of a single set of twins using interventions that are themselves questionable. There are absolutely no conclusions at all that can be drawn from this, and to suggest otherwise is just irresponsible journalism.”
In general, one study about the reversal of symptoms common in ASD performed on two children is not considered enough to “prove” that autism can be reversed. Future studies would be needed to examine this research and understand whether its results could be replicated.
The research was only performed on individuals with symptoms considered “severe,” so there is not yet any information on how the treatments would affect other children under other circumstances.
Autism is scientifically referred to as a non-treatable and non-curable lifelong condition. Although parents and loved ones of Autistic children may find the new research promising, studies must be peer-reviewed, pass multiple ethics boards, and correspond with other research conducted over a significant amount of time to be considered evidence-based.
Understanding neurodiversity
One way to understand autism is the theory of neurodiversity, a term used to describe various ways of experiencing and interacting with the world, especially in reference to people with various neurodevelopmental conditions. Not all traits or symptoms of autism spectrum disorder are necessarily negative, and some symptoms may only be perceived as negative because they impact the social systems in a person’s life, even if the individuals themselves don’t find them distressing.
Accepting each unique person for who they are, understanding that variance in the way people experience the world is natural, and moving away from a pathological model of categorizing autism can be seen as the basis of the neurodiversity movement.
The neurodiversity movement usually promotes using inclusive language, avoiding function labels outside of a clinical setting, and considering whether a person prefers to use the term “Autistic” or “a person with autism.” For those who cannot communicate their preferences, switching between both terminology options and continuing to be accepting of the needs of other Autistic people can be a helpful way to avoid harm.
Some people with autism prefer to be referred to as neurodivergent. In addition, every Autistic person has different abilities. Studies have found that Autistic people tend to exceed non-Autistic individuals in some areas of intelligence, such as pattern recognition, certain spatial reasoning abilities, intentional focus, and sensory strengths.
In addition, difficulty making eye contact (a common symptom of ASD) has often been viewed as a deficit and a form of social inadequacy. However, experts have found that not making eye contact may improve an Autistic person’s focus, potentially enhancing their cognitive abilities.
Because there can be many ways to be neurodivergent, some people prefer looking at autism from this lens. Although there can be difficulties associated with living with ASD, there may also be unique benefits and joys for those with the condition.
How to support a child with autism
There are a few ways family members can offer support to children with autism, including the following.
Accept and love them as they are
Because autism is a lifelong condition, Autistic children cannot change who they are or the fact that they have autism. Although some behaviors may change over time, and children may start to thrive in areas where they once struggled, there is not currently decisive proof that autism can be reversed.
You can show your child acceptance by reminding them how much you love them, celebrating their accomplishments, avoiding punishing them for ASD symptoms, and praising their uniqueness.
Accommodate their unique needs
Accommodations may reduce the difficulty some Autistic children experience during daily life. For example, frequent exposure to sensory environments that cause distress may increase the frequency of meltdowns or self-harming behaviors. Removing harmful stimuli from the child’s environment instead of pushing them to accept it or adapt to the stimuli may help them regulate their emotions more effectively.
In addition, showing acceptance when a child does not speak or communicate in typical ways can show them that the way they are is not harmful to you or those they love. Find other ways to accommodate them by learning how they struggle and where they flourish.
Find support options
Parents and caregivers of children with autism may benefit from seeking support from autism organizations dedicated to the support and advocacy of Autistic children and adults.
Talking to a therapist can be another way to find support, as a licensed mental health professional can teach self-regulation strategies and offer ways to support your child without letting your stress or mental health challenges negatively impact them.
Support groups for caregivers of children with autism may also be helpful. In this setting, you can discuss common challenges and offer advice and support to other parents.
Other research on autism spectrum disorder
Thousands of studies have been conducted on autism and whether it is curable, treatable, or reversible. No studies have yet concluded that autism is reversible or curable in any way. However, multiple studies suggest that autism is a lifelong condition and that attempting to change core behaviors and traits in Autistic children may cause more harm than good.
Autistic children and adults typically have a high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after undergoing treatments that attempt to ignore their boundaries and push them to act in more “socially acceptable” ways.
In addition, children with ASD are approximately 2.5 times more likely to be reported to the Child Abuse Hotline by the time they are eight years old. Abuse during childhood can also contribute to the development of PTSD.
Some research shows that areas that might be seen as deficits, such as communication, can be situational for some Autistic people. In one study, Autistic adults appeared to be more effectively able to communicate and connect with other Autistic adults than with those who were non-Autistic. Communication between Autistic individuals seemed to be equally effective as communication between neurotypical individuals. According to the study, no social deficits were seen between two Autistic people communicating with each other.
More research is needed to understand the implications of recent studies, autism function levels, and whether there may someday be a treatment for autism.
The dangers of assuming autism is curable
Instead of advertising autism awareness as awareness of treatments or autism “cure research,” organizations like these generally aim to help Autistic people speak up for themselves and receive compassionate, accepting care. Although it can be considered a disability, autism cannot be changed through any specific treatment, and many Autistic children grow up to be independent, happy, and well-functioning adults.
Because programs to “change” someone with autism are often intense and involve long hours and significant pressure, they can lead to significant adverse health impacts on children. Research the therapeutic options you choose before you use them, and look for feedback from Autistic adults who have gone through those programs themselves to inform your decision.
Trauma-informed and neurodiversity-informed treatments can guide Autistic children and adults and support their families. Instead of looking for a cure for your child, accept them as they are and find ways to make life accessible for both of you.
Therapy options for parents and Autistic adults
Navigating the unique challenges that can come with parenting an Autistic child or living as a person with autism yourself can be difficult. If you’re struggling to find suitable in-person therapy options, seeking support through an online platform like BetterHelp can be beneficial. You can be matched with a therapist from a database of thousands of providers based on your unique situation. In addition, you may be able to access resources like group sessions and worksheets.
Studies show that online therapy can be effective for parents coping with a child’s mental health challenges. In an article published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, researchers concluded that online therapy usually improved parents’ emotional regulation skills, reduced stress, and increased children’s psychological adjustment. In addition, online interventions typically empowered parents to adopt new coping skills and develop enhanced psychological flexibility.
Takeaway
Instead of seeking a cure, taking an empathetic, disability-informed, and neurodiversity-based approach may benefit children living with autism. To talk about your emotions related to parenting a child with autism, or to learn to cope with mental health challenges as an Autistic adult, consider speaking to a therapist online or in your area. You’re not alone, and support is available.
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