Expert: Paul Johnson - 12/9/2010

Question
My seven year old grandson has just been diagnosed with autism.  Is it too late to help him recover?

Answer
Hey Dawn,

Thank you for your challenging question.
I will need to first tackle what you mean by recover. That is a loaded question of sorts.

Autism like most things in life has political factions. In the Autism community individuals and their families with classic full blown Kanner's Autism view the condition as a scourge that is in need of eliminating, treating or curing. Those on the higher functioning end of the Autism Spectrum of Disorders view their condition like Asperger's as an alternative cognitive form of life that the Creator has endowed us with. A diverse talent if your will...

So when you ask me if he will recover I will assume you are referring to full blown classis Autism. And I am assuming you also mean how much ability compared to the general population will he develop.

At seven years old some of the opportunities for a greater gain of abilities begin to be restricted because now he will have to un-learn and learn new ways of learning and expressing his self.

In the same breath that I say this so called miracles have occurred so often should we actually refer to them as such. I love possessing a condition in which I can achieve whatever I have put my mind to. Space does not allow me to share how many things I have over come in my life. So I would expect him to achieve great things in terms of expression.

Now the greatest question is does he have the sufficient motivation to do so? Only he can answer that question. It is his life not yours.
Personally I would tell you I believe the prognosis is good given what we presently know about Autism.