Severe Autism Reversed: New Program Made Symptoms 'Indistinguishable,' Patients 'Improved Dramatically'
Severe autism can be "reversed," scientists have said, after the symptoms of two children were significantly reduced following regular treatment.
For the study, published in the MDPI journal Sexes, two non-identical twin girls who were diagnosed with severe autism at 20 months old underwent a program of interventions for two years.
The program -- which was intended to reduce inflammation -- was a success, according to the study authors.
The researchers noted that the two girls showed "dramatic improvements" in their symptoms, with one twin even described as now "indistinguishable" from children without autism.
"One of the twins' symptoms were reversed to the point of being indistinguishable from children who had never had a history of autism symptoms," study author Dr. Chris D'Adamo of the University of Maryland told The Telegraph.
"This twin's functions are comparable to those who never had an autism diagnosis."
The twin, dubbed "Twin P" in the study, saw a massive drop in her score on the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist scale -- which measures the severity of autism symptoms -- in less than two years.
Twin P's score dropped from 43 out of 180 in March 2022 to just four in October 2023 -- progress described by one of the scientists as "a kind of miracle."
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Twin P, now 4, "presents today as a joyful, engaging, spirited, extremely bright" child, the scientists wrote in the study.
The other girl, called "Twin L," also "improved dramatically, but not quite as much," D'Adamo said.
Twin L had more severe symptoms, initially scoring 76 on the scale. This figure was reduced to 32 by October 2023.
As part of the program, the girls followed a strict diet that had no gluten, casein, artificial colors or dyes, and ultra-processed foods. They were given food that was low in sugar and mainly organic.
They also took supplements for omega-3 fatty acids, carnitine, vitamin D and multivitamins, among others, every day.
The treatment program also included speech therapy and behavioral analysis.
While researchers do not call the program a cure, D'Adamo said they believe the improvements the twins have shown are likely permanent.
"Because autism is a developmental condition, one can safely say that once they have overcome the developmental aspects of autism and returned to a typical developmental trajectory, they are very unlikely to exhibit the common symptoms of autism again," the medical expert told the outlet.
He noted that symptoms such as anxiety, gastrointestinal issues and sensory issues may appear down the line, but the "behavioral aspects of autism" are unlikely to return.
