Autism has long been described as a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder/condition. Core behavioural features, typically emerging in infancy or early childhood, have been assumed to persist throughout the lifespan. The research, however, suggests that within the vast heterogeneity of autism , not all individuals follow a single, fixed trajectory. Various reports have documented the presentation of " acquired autism " ( regression ) following a period of typical development.

In the past two decades, our societies have become more fluent in the language of mental health. Public campaigns  encourage people to...