A child with dominant level of autism may have a normal or even above-average IQ, allowing them to attend a regular school and hold a job later in life. However, they often struggle with expressing themselves and interacting socially. Children with moderate to severe autism can vary greatly in their abilities. Some may develop non-verbal clues to communicate, while others may develop full-fledged speech but few of them may still have difficulties using language to communicate effectively. They might exhibit unusual speech patterns, such as repeating words, echoing phrases, or reversing pronouns.

Autistic children may engage in behaviors like rocking, spinning objects, or repeating activities for extended periods. They may also switch between activities frequently and appear hyperactive. Many children with autism are sensitive to specific sounds or sensations, while at other times, they may seem unaware of what’s happening around them. They often face challenges with pseudo play and may not use toys appropriately. They might prefer playing with unusual objects. Despite these challenges, some children with autism have talents, such as singing or reciting rhymes, but they may find it difficult to navigate through social interactions.

At this point, the exact cause of autism is not known. However, current research suggests that anything that can cause structural or functional damage to the central nervous system may contribute to the development of autism. Certain viruses and known genetic conditions have been associated with autism, and some families have more than one child with the condition. It is currently believed that about 10% of autism cases may have a genetic basis.

It is difficult to explain why a specific child has autism, as researchers believe that multiple factors may contribute, and in most cases, the cause remains unknown. Autism is not caused by an "unhappy home environment," working parents, mental stress during pregnancy, poor parenting, emotional trauma, or other psychological factors. Autism is not something that can be caused by how a child is raised.

At this point, we do not know the cause of autism, and therefore, we cannot cure the underlying issues in the child’s brain. Various therapeutic methods (such as medications, diets, etc.) are being explored, but none have been proven to be consistently effective. Since the cause of autism remains unknown, there is no way to prevent it. Currently, there is no cure for autism—no medication, no pills, or injections that can make the problem go away.

The only effective treatment for autism is a structured training program. Therefore, a combination of a good school program and parent training is the best-known treatment. Autistic children can make significant progress if the intervention is appropriate and consistent. Early intervention, particularly before the child reaches the age of five, is especially important for their development. This is why early and accurate diagnosis is crucial. Autistic children grow into autistic adults, and there is a particular need for meaningful opportunities for social interaction and employment, where possible.

Autism is a spectrum disorder, and currently, there is no reliable, objective measure of its severity in an individual. Children with autism have the potential to develop their skills and can be helped through early, well-focused intervention. Depending on the child’s individual strengths and the appropriateness and intensity of the intervention they receive, children with autism can lead relatively independent lives.

Many autistic children have successfully integrated into regular schools, though the chances of success depend on several factors. The most important factors are the child’s skill profile, the timing of the diagnosis, and the quality of early intervention provided. Children with autism often have different learning styles than typically developing children, which means teaching methods need to be adapted accordingly. In some schools, this understanding is lacking, and as a result, autistic children may face difficulties. By Grades 4 or 5, many may need to drop out due to insufficient support.

A large number of autistic children (about 30-50%) do not use speech. It is difficult to predict when a child will speak. It is known that there is no physical impairment preventing their speech development. Some children who may have spoken as infants and then lost their speech may or may not regain it. Currently, it is unclear why some children develop speech while others do not. Experience with children with autism has shown that when the environment is accepting and people understand the type of communication needed, positive results are more likely.

Speech therapy can help some children with autism. It is crucial for the speech therapist to understand both autism and the individual child. Conventional speech therapy methods may not be very effective for children with autism, as the inability to speak is not a physical problem. However, every child with autism can benefit from an intervention program that focuses on enhancing communication skills.