Autism signs emerge years after healthy childhood, research shows

Many children who are born completely healthy and develop normally begin to show signs of autism after the age of three or four, with some cases emerging as late as 10 years of age. Research shows that nearly 50% of children diagnosed with autism developed typically during their first few years of life.

However, a 12-year study has found that these children can return to a normal life through an integrated intervention model known as the "Dreams Method for Autism."

"Even after being born healthy, children can gradually develop disabilities due to adverse surroundings or a lack of parental awareness. With proper and timely intervention, these children can once again grow up healthy and develop normally," said Associate Professor Shorifa Shahjadi of the Physiology Department at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) while presenting the research at an event at the Shaheed Dr Milon Hall of BMU marking  World Disability Day 2025.

The programme, titled "Childhood development programme for normal and special children," showcased research findings on early childhood development among both typically developing children and children with special needs.

Referring to the scope of the study, Shahjadi said the 12-year research programme was conducted on more than 40 children.

She said children aged two, five, seven, and even 10 can be brought back to a normal life without relying on conventional medication. "Physical exercise, planned dietary habits, and a supportive environment play a crucial role in healthy development," she said.

Based on the positive outcomes of the research, an integrated intervention approach known as the "Dreams Method" was developed. Shahjadi said the Jahan International Model Institute and Research Centre in Jhenaidah supported the initiative throughout the process.

Explaining the reasons behind autism symptoms among children who were born healthy, Shahjadi told The Business Standard, "Environmental factors and nutritional deficiencies within families are major reasons."

"We found that many children come from families with similar eating habits, where fast food and junk food are consumed frequently," she said, adding that excessive use of mobile phones or television and psychological factors also play a role.

She said increased awareness among parents, teachers, and doctors has made it possible to identify autism at an earlier age. Shahjadi advised seeking medical help if a child shows unusual behaviour or fails to reach age-appropriate developmental milestones.

Speakers at the event said several case studies showed significant improvement within six months through integrated intervention, with long-term follow-up showing that some children later passed the SSC examination and enrolled in college.

Call for national guidelines

Speakers said Bangladesh lacks specific national guidelines and a structured referral system for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. They called for the establishment of a research-based centre of excellence at Bangladesh Medical University to ensure integrated treatment beyond Dhaka.

Doctors also expressed concern that the government's decision last year to shut down 37 child development centres would further reduce access to care for children with special needs.

Professor Dr Saif Ullah Munshi, director of the Super Specialised Hospital, said autism among children has reached "an epidemic-like level."

"If you look closely, many families will find autistic children even among close relatives," he said.

Experts at the event said environmental changes, lifestyle patterns, and the growing use of technology may be contributing to the rise in autism. They stressed the need for further research and the formulation of a coordinated national policy to address the issue.