If Autism could be cured, would you?

It sounds like you're saying "If you could become neurotypical, would you?"

- If I lost all the attributes I ascribe to being autistic, good and bad then 'probably not' (though that depends on what kind of an autie-day I'm having) as I'd lose too much 'awesome'

- If I only lost the negative attributes I ascribe to being autistic then 'yes, in a heartbeat' as I would be 'even more awesome'

Better to ask if there was a virus you could release that would make NTs actually 'a bit autistic' (like they often claim to be), would you?

Yes I bloody well would!

Am I missing something here or do people here genuinely seem to believe that Autism isn't a disease/disorder and just put it down to being "neurologically diverse"?

I have huge social deficiencies - but huge technical capabilities - I can choose to limit my social stress and play that game on my own terms - conversely, my technical abilities meant I was always in demand to do very niche, well-paid jobs where I could excel.     The money I earned meant I could indulge my hobbies and do 'nice' things in my spare time.

I think a lot of people with autism don't 'know' themselves so they end up in careers that do not suit them or play to their own strengths - I imagine this would be my idea of hell - doing sales or dealing with people etc. or some other stress job dealing with NTs.

I can relate to this. People who meet me for the first time think I'm witty, funny, clever and fun to be with. And I am...........for the half an hour that I chose to spend charming you. I don't want more than that and if you show up at my door in a few days time, all smiley and friendly, thinking I'll be the same, you'll see the side of me that has lost me friends and family. I could have had a brilliant 'career' as a mistress, just being funny and amusing for a couple of hours a week. Could I be in an office or deal with customers on a daily basis? Judging from my many short lived jobs, no I couldn't.
Masking takes a lot of effort and I can't do it long term or daily without eventually blowing a gasket, usually because people see that I'm easily riled, so they play the "let's see if we can wind her up" game, then act hurt and surprised when I flip, start to swear and cry and throw things and physically attack them if they're daft enough to actually lay hands on me. I don't like to be touched by anyone, even on a good day, trying to pull me or push me when I'm mid flip out is stupid and dangerous (hence been arrested several times in my life for assault too). 
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Totally agree - I know a few aspies that i would not want working for me.    I'm very high functioning and I mask very well as a jolly nice chap who is always very positive and highly capable.    I can pass as 'normal' most of the time as long as nothing difficult happens at work.     They can't see the internal stress that is damaging me and just how hard I'm working to process the social game - it's exhausting.    But in my line of work, most people are a 'bit odd' because we're such nerdy specialists.      If I had to do a job that was all social interaction, I'd burn out very quickly.

I've met a lot of (for want of a better phrase) 'lower functioning' aspies - they come across as a bit strange, intense and 1-dimensional so I totally see why we're so unrepresented in the workforce - I'd be terrified at the responsibility of employing them.

Totally agree - I know a few aspies that i would not want working for me.    I'm very high functioning and I mask very well as a jolly nice chap who is always very positive and highly capable.    I can pass as 'normal' most of the time as long as nothing difficult happens at work.     They can't see the internal stress that is damaging me and just how hard I'm working to process the social game - it's exhausting.    But in my line of work, most people are a 'bit odd' because we're such nerdy specialists.      If I had to do a job that was all social interaction, I'd burn out very quickly.

I've met a lot of (for want of a better phrase) 'lower functioning' aspies - they come across as a bit strange, intense and 1-dimensional so I totally see why we're so unrepresented in the workforce - I'd be terrified at the responsibility of employing them.

I can relate to this. People who meet me for the first time think I'm witty, funny, clever and fun to be with. And I am...........for the half an hour that I chose to spend charming you. I don't want more than that and if you show up at my door in a few days time, all smiley and friendly, thinking I'll be the same, you'll see the side of me that has lost me friends and family. I could have had a brilliant 'career' as a mistress, just being funny and amusing for a couple of hours a week. Could I be in an office or deal with customers on a daily basis? Judging from my many short lived jobs, no I couldn't.
Masking takes a lot of effort and I can't do it long term or daily without eventually blowing a gasket, usually because people see that I'm easily riled, so they play the "let's see if we can wind her up" game, then act hurt and surprised when I flip, start to swear and cry and throw things and physically attack them if they're daft enough to actually lay hands on me. I don't like to be touched by anyone, even on a good day, trying to pull me or push me when I'm mid flip out is stupid and dangerous (hence been arrested several times in my life for assault too). 
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