Topical these days is finding the "cause" of Autism with, one suspects, the goal of "curing" it or eradicating it. Would that make the world a better place?
How different is that from finding the cause and cure for being gay, being Black, being deaf, being anything other than white and "normal"? Why do the powers that be have such a desire to eliminate anything that is different from them? It's not new, of course; Eugenics has been around for quite some time.
I also wonder how they get to that statistic
The article says NAS is the source:
According to the NAS, in the UK, 79% (2009) to 77% (2017) of retired or unemployed autistic adults say they want to work.
I do see people saying how it can be a way to gwt out of work but here’s what I say to that
I will fight tooth and nail for my right to stay in an employment opertunity i have until something better comes along unlike some nt people who follow the money from one tiresome job to the next I’ll stick out a job many others Dont want becuase getting another tiresome job isnt worth it just becuase the money is better
I think it's likely undiagnosed autistic people could make a difference to the stats. A lot of undiagnosed people will have "got through" life and masked and whatever else which has led to their autism not being picked up. Many of these people will have worked. I'm not saying it's going to make a huge difference to statistics but I think it would make a difference.
I also wonder how they get to that statistic. How do the people that make these statistics know how many autistic people work? Not everyone discloses it. I have never been part of any kind of survey or anything to say I'm autistic and I work. How accurate is the statistic? I also actually though it was more like 30% that was quoted.
I don't doubt there are lots of autistic people out of work though. And I think you're right that this is the kind of thing that makes them want to look for a cure. And I also agree they think a cure would be easier than actually making work places accessible.
you don't need a diagnosis to prove someone is gay
Homosexuality was listed as a mental disorder in the DSM-I and DSM-II. Now one can just self-identify. I'm not sure there is a need to "prove" it.
I'm not sure where the medication element comes from here. Can you explain please?
I was assuming that a "cure" for autism would be a drug.
I agree with your last 3 paragraphs, sad though it is.
That is 20% of diagnosed autistic people though
We can only be sure of the stats for people identified as autistic (ie diagnosed) but the stats are pretty consistent. I can't imagine that a lack of diagnosis would affect the challenges for an autist though.
There is a lot more detail here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment_of_autistic_people
Why should people be medicated to enable them to endure the workplace
I'm not sure where the medication element comes from here. Can you explain please?
when the workplace could be adapted to their needs
I think the drive for this is from the 97% of the population who are not autistic. My take is that they don't want to have to change the way they work for such a small minority (we make up less than 1% of the working population).
To them we are the outcasts, the weirdos and the ones prone to breaking down just because the lights are too bright (an exaggeration but makes the point) and they want us to all be like them and be less hassle.
I rather suspect they don't care that they would be losing the tiny percentage who make significant contributions through our genious.
That is 20% of diagnosed autistic people though -I believe there are many more autistic adults who are not diagnosed and either self identifying or not aware of it, just believing they have mental health problems or are overly sensitive. So I think there are a lot more autistic people working than the statistics suggest.
Also, workplaces are mostly autism unfriendly. Why should people be medicated to enable them to endure the workplace when the workplace could be adapted to their needs? Autistic people often have unique skills that can bring value - if you eliminate the autism, you eliminate those skills too.
Would that make the world a better place?
It would get a lot more of us off benefits and into work.
Remember that only about 20% of autists are in full time employment so we are a net burdon on the state compated to NTs
I definitely think there is an agenda for Trump to reduce autism numbers. I worry he might demand they change the criteria so less people get diagnosed though. I don't know whether he has that power but he seems to manage to do these things anyway.
I think it's because they are hoping to find an expensive drug that they can "treat" autism with. I believe that many of the rich, including politicians, have shares in pharmaceutical companies.
Autism is seen as different from being gay or black because you don't need a diagnosis to prove someone is gay or black. But more and more of us are self identifying as autistic. Some people have an issue with that - in fact, there are some who will say that autistic people are just trying to get attention or get out of working, even if they have a diagnosis - but I feel that the more people who speak up about their personal struggles the better, as it may put more pressure on society to adapt to our needs.
And also we need to remember that being gay used to be seen as something that needed to be treated - with horrific "treatments" - so hopefully autism will become more accepted in time as natural variation rather than a disease that could potentially be eliminated.
If there was a cure I would pop that instantly and hope
I can cure it, but i am not allowed to write how on this site
There's a contradiction there which suggests a particular "cure" that I wouldn't recommend. All we can do is take it one day at a time and try not to be too hard on ourselves when things aren't going well. Some days are good and some not so good; endure the one and enjoy the other.
Dive into your special interests, recharge your batteries in nature, keep yourself occupied, find ways to meet people (evening classes, clubs, autistic spaces, online gaming, this forum, etc.), be patient, and some day you'll look back and feel proud of how well you managed against the odds and what strength you possess. Others will notice it, too.
There is no support in my area, i have looked into it.
I can cure it, but i am not allowed to write how on this site
I don't want a cure.
But I would appreciate being able to use my oddities and difference to better effect instead of the destructive record I have..
As most cutting edge research seems to involve individuals with autism do the think we would still be living in caves if everyone was "normal".?
It's one of the reasons why China values our education system because theirs is so homogenous they've recognised its stiffling creativty, but I think it takes more than education to allow creativity, I think it's a whole society thing.
I wonder where those who want homogenity think all the new ideas will come from?
Yes, it does seem like a recipe for disastrous group-think, doesn't it?
People often seek out the different and the novel, especially if they're of a creative disposition, some of us enjoy variety whereas others enjoy sameness.
I wonder where those who want homogenity think all the new ideas will come from?
I am sorry that you feel that way. Autism can be very, very difficult. I do empathise.
But my point was more a cure is not a practical goal. You cannot cure something that affects the way an entire brain works. You may be able to help some of the symptoms, but not cure it.
Have you looked into getting some support?
