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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

  • No, I don’t think I would want a ‘cure’ I’m happy with who I am, even though it has been incredibly hard for many years. However, perhaps there needs to be a cure for (some) NT’s!?

    They seldom make proper sense, lie perpetually, seldom respect or consider logic and expect the world to listen and agree to their half-baked, ass-backwards none factual ‘opinions’. Unfortunately, many NT’s are more likely to ‘hope’ for a ‘cure’ because AS can be so demanding on them. They seldom understand AS properly (Masters or otherwise)  and it makes them feel awkward, confused and can sometimes express ‘pity’ at us because they often lack the quality of ‘acceptance’. If only many NTs would just accept our initial social ‘differences’ they would have a better chance of accepting and seeing how amazing, unique, awesomely logical, honest and pure-minded AS individuals can be. 

    Yes of course it’s hard for us, we can get tremendously stressed, overwhelmed, confused, frustrated, exhausted, angry, regretful - made to feel shame for past conflicts, inappropriate responses and behaviours but isn’t that just what being a human is all about anyway, regardless of peoples neuro-type blue print?

    We seldom know or are reminded just how incredible as AS we can be.

    It is (some) NTs that need to get their house together and it is they that should stop trying to tell the world that we are the odd ones out and that we need curing.   

    Acceptance is the key, both for ourselves of ourselves, and from everyone else. 

Reply

  • No, I don’t think I would want a ‘cure’ I’m happy with who I am, even though it has been incredibly hard for many years. However, perhaps there needs to be a cure for (some) NT’s!?

    They seldom make proper sense, lie perpetually, seldom respect or consider logic and expect the world to listen and agree to their half-baked, ass-backwards none factual ‘opinions’. Unfortunately, many NT’s are more likely to ‘hope’ for a ‘cure’ because AS can be so demanding on them. They seldom understand AS properly (Masters or otherwise)  and it makes them feel awkward, confused and can sometimes express ‘pity’ at us because they often lack the quality of ‘acceptance’. If only many NTs would just accept our initial social ‘differences’ they would have a better chance of accepting and seeing how amazing, unique, awesomely logical, honest and pure-minded AS individuals can be. 

    Yes of course it’s hard for us, we can get tremendously stressed, overwhelmed, confused, frustrated, exhausted, angry, regretful - made to feel shame for past conflicts, inappropriate responses and behaviours but isn’t that just what being a human is all about anyway, regardless of peoples neuro-type blue print?

    We seldom know or are reminded just how incredible as AS we can be.

    It is (some) NTs that need to get their house together and it is they that should stop trying to tell the world that we are the odd ones out and that we need curing.   

    Acceptance is the key, both for ourselves of ourselves, and from everyone else. 

Children
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