prognosis
Last reviewed 01/2018
10-20% of children with infantile autism begin to improve between the ages 4 and 6 years and are able to attend ordinary schools and have ordinary employment.
10-20% of children with this condition can live at home but attend special schools and are not able to have ordinary employment.
About 60% of children show little improvement and are unable to lead an independent life, most requiring long- term residential care.
Children who do improve continue to show language difficulties, exhibit emotional coldness and odd behaviour.
There is an increased risk of the development of epilepsy in adolescence.