title: Prognosis in autism: do specialist treatments affect long-term outcome?
abstract: Many different treatments have been claimed to have a dramatic impact on children with autism. This paper reviews what is known about the outcome in adult life and examines the limitations and advantages of a variety of intervention approaches. It concludes that there is little evidence of any "cure" for autism, but appropriately structured programmes for education and management in the early years can play a significant role in enhancing functioning in later life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, St. George's Hospital Medical School, Tooting, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Howlin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004035:Diet Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004519:Education, Special / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome