Part of the Sharon’s success in treating her daughter, the subject of the book, Awakening Ashley: Mozart Knocks Autism on Its Ear, is probably related to intensively going after the issue at an early age. At just 21 months of age, Ashley was officially on the autism spectrum. However, after about two years of intensive speech and occupational therapy, a gluten-free diet, county service and auditory training, Ashley was taken off of the autism spectrum. So it seems to be very important to detect an Autism Spectrum Disorder as early as possible and intensively treating it, to maximise chances of success…
(sources: Can music aid an autistic child- | InsideNova; Brain Development in Infants at risk for Autism)