To think that actually, some of us would like a cure?

[FedupofbeingtoldIcantusemyname]

I was reading an article that popped up on FB the other day that stated that there are people working on some kind of 'cure' for ASD, some sort of medication I think.

Every single one of the comments on the article were saying that it was offensive to those with ASD, that it isn't a disease and doesn't need to be 'cured', that it was disgusting that they were even attempting to eradicate or 'fix' it.

I couldn't help disagreeing. While I don't have ASD myself, I do have a lot of experience with it as DN has it severely. I understand that a lot of people with ASD have full lives, relationships, jobs and so on, some feel that it is a part of their personality and as such cannot be 'removed' without them losing a bit of themselves. I sympathise with that. Obviously if a medication became available that would 'cure' ASD, presumably they could choose not to take it?

But for some, including DN, there are a lot of things in life that they very likely won't experience because of the ASD. DN is still doubly incontinent at age 10, he may never be fully toilet trained. He will probably never get married or have children. He will almost certainly never have a job or go to university. He will never even live independantly as it would be too dangerous for him. So, for him, if a 'cure' was available, I would want him to have it, for his sake rather than anyone else's.

Aibu to think that, while ASD is not a 'disease' that needs to be cured, if there was something available for DN that would take away all the symptoms, all the sensory issues, and just allow him to function in the world as everyone else does, I would want him to have it? Or am I an uncaring monster for thinking that?

Sorry Allways I should been clearer Iwas just talking about the words. They do get used an awful lot to mean not worth bothering with.

Molly really it is called the 'Autistic Spectrum' for a reason and it makes sense that people with Aspergers are under the autistic spectrum umbrella.

Why is your child going to a mainstream school seen as some sort of success as suppose to some young children going to specialist education? There are many high functioning children with ASD, dyslexia, specific language disorders attending specialist schools... I would say good for them that they are getting quality specialist provision which would be difficult to get in mainstream.

Anyway, my DS doesn't have Autism, but has social communication difficulties and severe verbal dyspraxia but he does face difficulties with what Children with ASD go through. I would want a cure for my DS severe language skills and social communication difficulties.

Yay, I'm an archaic human- 3.5 out of 4 (depression, Crohn's, autism and gestational diabetes hence the .5!)

I have to say I am lucky to have a HF child who appreciates explanations. I only kept his ASD diagnosis from him for 6 months and then saw how not understanding why he was different from other kids was affecting him. After telling him the change was amazing, and it became easy to explain to him when we were going to groups and meet ups with other kids on the spectrum that we were going to see other children and parents who were like him and/or understood.

He says he wishes he could cure how the world sees ASD ('naughty') but doesn't see himself as being in any way impaired, disabled or not valuable. He also suffers with anxiety and I think that's more of a problem for him than the ASD.

Overall he's an amazing little person and I wouldn't want to change him at all, only change what causes him to suffer. But as he observed himself, what causes him to suffer most is society not accommodating him.

helpimitchy Wow! Please could you post a link/some links about the ancester thing? How interesting!
It does make sense though... being hyper aware of the environment is a great benefit in the natural world but obviously will mean being overwhelmed in the modern world, for example. Or something like that!

I'm sure I read something about peole with ASD often being aware of moods/atmospheres around people, but without using the NT nonverbal communication. If true, this also seems like an ancient skill, somehow. Seems to fit in with feeling like you're on the wrong planet too...

Although that last paragraph is probably way into woo territory.

ps. I'm yearning for an Aspie version of Bear Grylls island thing - do you think it would work? Not as TV but as an island community...

pps. Apologies for mad speculation, just finding this very interesting!

there is a quote from Temple Grandin that is something like "If autism had been eradicated, then man would still be socialising in cave entrances in front of a wood fire and getting nothing done!"

I'm not sure about breeding with certain ancestors, but there is a clear genetic/hereditary factor in ASD. It doesn't mean that every case is genetic but a great number are

Some info here

You're not wrong, OP. I know my ASD son would find life easier if he wasn't on the spectrum. But it's the life he knows. And I adore him and all his quirkiness. But it is HFA he's got.

Here

And here

Research is ongoing obviously. Who knows what it might reveal in the coming years.

Here's how you can help with a study

Have your DNA analysed to discover your Neanderthal percentage, describe your results to these people and answer a personality questionnaire.

Thank you helpimitchy

MaddyHatter I LOVE the sound of your outfit. Brilliant!