Frequently Asked Questions
Q: At what age can you tell if a child has autism?
A: It is easiest to do so at two to five years, when patterns of autistic behavior becomes obvious. Since autism affects speech, it is virtually impossible to tell in the first year of life. Children with autism avoid eye contact and dislike physical contact.
Q: Can you become autistic?
A: Although most autistic children have the condition from birth, there have been some cases of apparently normal children becoming autistic after a severe disease or upsetting experience. Fortunately, this does not occur a lot.
Q: Can you catch autism?
A: No, catching autism is impossible!
Q: Will an autistic child ever be able to live and work normally?
A: A few autistic children improve to this extent, but they remain a source of concern. They don't have problems with work, but with social situations.