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Fein D, Barton M et al. J Child Psychol Psychiatr 2013; 54: 195–205

It has been reported over the past 40 years, that as many as half of individuals grow out of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). But were they originally misdiagnosed, or were the criteria for recovery flawed? In this study, it was shown at the end of the observational periods there were no differences in 1) socialisation, 2) communication, 3) face recognition, and 4) language scores between those diagnosed with optimal outcome ASD (n = 34) and those individuals with typical development (n = 34). Nevertheless, this was not observed in those with high-functioning autism (n = 44). Uta Frith, developmental psychologist who dispelled the myth of 'refrigerator mother' as the cause of ASD, states that those with autism and their parents are 'the heroes'. Indeed, this paper implies that those parents who were 'highly involved in the children's treatment programs and in their social lives' result in optimal outcome.