This page is designed to answer the following questions:
- 1.3. Explain why it is important to recognise that autism is a lifelong condition (Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism, Introduction to Autism)
NOTE: This page has been quality assured for 2023 as per our Quality Assurance policy.
Autism is a lifelong condition and there is no ‘cure’. This is important to understand for several reasons.
Firstly, if an individual (or their family) believes that autism is temporary or curable, it can prevent them from accessing appropriate support. Children particularly benefit from early interventions following an autism diagnosis and it has been shown to improve outcomes. Getting the right care and support is essential for improving the quality of life for individuals with autism.
Acceptance of an autism diagnosis means that individuals can find approaches and coping strategies that can help them to develop daily living skills, including communication and social interaction.
Similarly, individuals that believe autism is curable may be duped into buying ‘quack remedies’ that have no evidential basis. The NHS provides a list of some of these fake treatments here.
For many people, being autistic is an important part of their identity. Recognizing autism as a lifelong condition acknowledges this aspect of a person’s self-identity and can contribute to positive self-esteem, self-understanding and self-acceptance.
An autism diagnosis can also help individuals to understand the reasons for some of the more neurodiverse facets of their personality. This understanding can help individuals to accept their differences and may even lower the risk or severity of associated mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety.