Diagnosis

   Children and adults with autism are often challenged in non-verbal communication, social interactions and recreational activities.

   However, although autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and adults can exhibit any combination of the behaviors in any degree of severity. Two children, both with the same diagnosis, can act very differently and have varying skills. Therefore, there is no standard "type" or "typical" person with autism.

   Many experts believe the prognosis is strongly determined by how much usable language the child has acquired by age 7. Autistic children with subnormal intelligence - for example, those who score below 50 on standard IQ tests - are likely to need full-time institutional care as adults (Merck Manual of Medical Information, 1997).

[Merck Manual of Medical  Information - Merck & Co. (1997)]