Fever May Improve Behavior in Autistic Kids

Dec. 3, 2007 — -- Fevers could actually improve autistic behavior in children, new research suggests, hinting at the possibility of a biological cause behind the disorder that has proved so difficult for experts to understand.

Researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore report that autistic children who are sick are less likely to make repetitive movements, use less inappropriate speech and are not as hyperactive as they normally behave.

"As a parent of a child with autism, I don't know why it happens, but I do witness how calm my son is when he is sick," said Marguerite Colston, parent and director of communications at the American Society of Autism (ASA).

"He can cuddle and is very calm, even looks me in the eye occasionally. His behavior is markedly different. I would love to hear more about why he reacts the way he does."

The behavior Colston describes has been observed by parents for years, but this is the first scientific study to investigate the issue. Researchers asked parents of 30 autistic children to evaluate their behavior during and after an illness.

They found that a fever of at least 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit improved symptoms such as arm flapping and body rocking, as well as irritability and hyperactivity.

Of course, some experts are skeptical that sluggishness associated with the fever causes children to be less energetic. Deborah Fein, professor of psychology at the University of Connecticut, says that because of the design of the study, this possibility cannot be ruled out.

"I do not think that the methods used are sufficient to rule out lethargy as a contributing factor, and the improvements she reported are all reductions in negative behaviors that could reasonably be related to slowing of activity levels," Fein said.

However, she adds that in some cases parents observe certain qualities that suggest fever may actually improve symptoms.

"One thing that parents have sometimes reported to me is actual improvements in eye contact, emotional relatedness and functional use of speech," she said.