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Controversial Topic - if there was a cure for autism, would you take it?

Raven_Forester

Hi Everyone, 

I'm not sure if this post is okay, and I'll take it down if its upsetting or too much, but I'm just curious. 

I'll preface with the fact that I haven't actually been diagnosed (yet), but I hold the educated opinion that I am indeed on the Spectrum. Partially because my parents are in denial and worse because my stepdad (a know-it-all) has a masters in psych and claims to have worked with the creator of ABA therapy once upon a time so he thinks he's all knowing about the topic of autism. And I know ABA can be and is extremely harmful to many. Anyway, they both think that if there's a cure for autism the world would be a better place. They also think all autism should be caught early and ABA be applied (not trying to make a pun). However this is not the case for many, myself being an example. I don't want to speak for anyone but what I've generally seen from the internet is that the autistic community would rather have acceptance and support rather than a cure. One of the reasons I'm considering and hoping that I am indeed autistic is so I can get the help I honestly never knew I needed but looking back realized I could have seriously benefitted from. If my parents knew I wasn't just quirky or knew how hard I have to work to seem normal maybe my anxiety to keep up those standards wouldn't be as sever. It's a thought anyway. But I don't think I'd want a cure, again considering that I am actually autistic. All things considered, I like who I am in many respects. My "quirks" make me who I am and I think It'd be hard for anyone to imagine me without them. 

So I'm curious to hear from the real autistic community, not my step-dad, if a cure is actually desired. 

I don't want arguments or anything, just a discussion. And I'll take this down if it's too controversial and causes problems. 

Parents

  • A year or two ago I would have said yes in an instant.  I was undiagnosed, usually single, generally lonely, often unemployed, easily burnt out when working, struggling to cope with the synagogue services I wanted to attend, but which were too noisy and overwhelming.

    Now I'm not sure.  I'd tentatively say no.  That's partly because my life is in a better place: diagnosed, working part-time, engaged, more forgiving of my need for solitude and quiet.  But I still am not 100% OK with things.  I still with I had the magical ability to read social situations, talk to people and make friends.  I wish I could do a day of work without feeling like I've been run over by a steamroller by the end of it.  I wish I could experience shared religious services without feeling so overwhelmed by noise and people.  I don't think I have any of the interesting or useful quirks or traits others have spoken about here.  I don't think I'm particularly logical, my special interests are fun, but trivial, and I'm not convinced my honesty is purely due to ASD rather than upbringing and general values.  Nevertheless, there is less that I would actively like to remove nowadays and the precautionary principle would suggest leaving things be.

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  • A year or two ago I would have said yes in an instant.  I was undiagnosed, usually single, generally lonely, often unemployed, easily burnt out when working, struggling to cope with the synagogue services I wanted to attend, but which were too noisy and overwhelming.

    Now I'm not sure.  I'd tentatively say no.  That's partly because my life is in a better place: diagnosed, working part-time, engaged, more forgiving of my need for solitude and quiet.  But I still am not 100% OK with things.  I still with I had the magical ability to read social situations, talk to people and make friends.  I wish I could do a day of work without feeling like I've been run over by a steamroller by the end of it.  I wish I could experience shared religious services without feeling so overwhelmed by noise and people.  I don't think I have any of the interesting or useful quirks or traits others have spoken about here.  I don't think I'm particularly logical, my special interests are fun, but trivial, and I'm not convinced my honesty is purely due to ASD rather than upbringing and general values.  Nevertheless, there is less that I would actively like to remove nowadays and the precautionary principle would suggest leaving things be.

Children
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