Is it really true that there will never be a cure for autism

[leester]

Let's think this through. 30-40 years ago no one thought of Cochlear implants or Bionic eyes. If you were blind or deaf back then, you were like that for the rest of your life. No one know's what advancements in autism treatments will be around 20-30 years from now. The argument from wrong planet would be "there's no way to cure autism. you would have to replace the brain" To me that is a moot point. There was a similar situation with eyes and ears I guess too.







Seeing videos like this shows that there could be a similar situation for autistics as well. I don't know what that would be, but lets not give up hope yet.

If someone is proud of their autism. That's great. But no one should convince anyone that there will never be a cure for autism. A lot can happen in 30-40 years.

[iliketrees]

I think it's likely they'll eventually find out all the causes of autism (since there's likely to be many). Maybe one day they can use that information to cure (or prevent) it.

[leester]

Nov 12, 2015 21:56:27 GMT iliketrees said:

I think it's likely they'll eventually find out all the causes of autism (since there's likely to be many). Maybe one day they can use that information to cure (or prevent) it.

But what about those who are autistic already? That would be great if they could cure someone who already has it.

[auswolf]

I think autism, well at least the milder forms, like Asperger's Syndrome, are not illnesses, but a bunch of personality traits. There have always been people who are different, and there always will be. We don't need to change so that society could be more homogenous. Society needs to accept, find use of, and help people who show greater variation from the average than most.

Well, AS probably has its reasons somewhere in our minds, or bodies, or lives, but I'd like to believe that I'm a worthwhile person with difficulties in life, and not a sick bastard who needs treatment. It is easier to say that everyone who doesn't have a thousand friends and has problems getting a job has X condition, than to accept the fact that everybody is different, and our 'modern' world is just not that easy to live in for everyone.

[sillyaspielady]

I don't know if it's possible to cure autism. From what I've read on autism, it seems to be genetic, so I'm not sure how that could help autistic people that already exist. If a cure is found, I feel this will give rise to ethical issues regarding "designer babies" and tampering with genes being seen as eugenics. I don't see finding a cure for autism as inherently bad, but we should also help people with autism who are living today.

[leester]

Nov 12, 2015 23:26:21 GMT auswolf said:

I think autism, well at least the milder forms, like Asperger's Syndrome, are not illnesses, but a bunch of personality traits. There have always been people who are different, and there always will be. We don't need to change so that society could be more homogenous. Society needs to accept, find use of, and help people who show greater variation from the average than most.

Well, AS probably has its reasons somewhere in our minds, or bodies, or lives, but I'd like to believe that I'm a worthwhile person with difficulties in life, and not a sick bastard who needs treatment. It is easier to say that everyone who doesn't have a thousand friends and has problems getting a job has X condition, than to accept the fact that everybody is different, and our 'modern' world is just not that easy to live in for everyone.

Autism is not an illness. It's a disability. Like being in wheelchair, deaf or blindness. If you are happy with who you are, more power to you. But there are many autistics who wish to be cured. Regardless of what WP says. I don't think if autism was cured we would become a homogenous society. The world is getting more diverse as it is. Yes I do agree society should be more accommodating towards people with autism. But a cure should not be off the list if someone wants a cure regardless of the serverity of autism. For me, it would be nice if there was an autism rc racing league, but that won't happen for a very long time.

However if someone wants to stay autistic. Society should do whatever it can to help autistics thirve.

[leester]

Nov 12, 2015 23:48:37 GMT sillyaspielady said:

I don't know if it's possible to cure autism. From what I've read on autism, it seems to be genetic, so I'm not sure how that could help autistic people that already exist. If a cure is found, I feel this will give rise to ethical issues regarding "designer babies" and tampering with genes being seen as eugenics. I don't see finding a cure for autism as inherently bad, but we should also help people with autism who are living today.

There were many things that people didn't know were possible many years and decades ago. Like smartphones, self driving cars, the internet. Many things that people never could of imagined back then. I don't know much about the whole genetics thing but I think there could be technology down the road that could help autistics something like carbon fiber legs on a paralympian or bionic eyes for a blind person. Like I said no one should be cured of their autism if they don't want to, but if someone wants a cure, it's their right. Lets just wait and see.

[auswolf]

Nov 13, 2015 0:17:36 GMT leester said:

Nov 12, 2015 23:48:37 GMT sillyaspielady said:

I don't know if it's possible to cure autism. From what I've read on autism, it seems to be genetic, so I'm not sure how that could help autistic people that already exist. If a cure is found, I feel this will give rise to ethical issues regarding "designer babies" and tampering with genes being seen as eugenics. I don't see finding a cure for autism as inherently bad, but we should also help people with autism who are living today.

There were many things that people didn't know were possible many years and decades ago. Like smartphones, self driving cars, the internet. Many things that people never could of imagined back then. I don't know much about the whole genetics thing but I think there could be technology down the road that could help autistics something like carbon fiber legs on a paralympian or bionic eyes for a blind person. Like I said no one should be cured of their autism if they don't want to, but if someone wants a cure, it's their right. Lets just wait and see.

I agree on that one. I'm just afraid that a cure would alter my personality that I used to hate and curse until my girlfriend made me see its bright sides. If a cure was offered to me, I would say no thanks, I want to remain the same man that she loves.

[leester]

Nov 15, 2015 9:45:30 GMT auswolf said:

Nov 13, 2015 0:17:36 GMT leester said:

There were many things that people didn't know were possible many years and decades ago. Like smartphones, self driving cars, the internet. Many things that people never could of imagined back then. I don't know much about the whole genetics thing but I think there could be technology down the road that could help autistics something like carbon fiber legs on a paralympian or bionic eyes for a blind person. Like I said no one should be cured of their autism if they don't want to, but if someone wants a cure, it's their right. Lets just wait and see.

I agree on that one. I'm just afraid that a cure would alter my personality that I used to hate and curse until my girlfriend made me see its bright sides. If a cure was offered to me, I would say no thanks, I want to remain the same man that she loves.

That's nice. If you are happy with who you are, that's great. I don't think a cure would make me a different person. It would help with certain difficulties. It would not make me super man or on par with a neurotypical it would just help me with daily tasks. Not as good as a normal functioning person, but right up there. It's up to the person if they want a cure or not. It should be a choice.

[itt2]

Leester, you are falling prey to the fallacy that a "normal functioning person" does not have any difficulties. Normal functioning people can be addicts, have personality disorders, be lazy, be the result of poor or abusive parenting, have sub-par intelligence, lack education, be raised in poverty, or any other number of things that can lead them to deal with significant difficulty. In fact, the world is full of NT people who have all kinds of difficulty.

It makes me sad that you think you are not "on par with a neurotypical" just the way you are. Sure, you have difficulties, but that doesn't make you *less than* somebody else (who, by the way, likely also has difficulties, even if they don't share the same ones you do).

I am not saying you are wrong to want to have an easier life. I am saying that many people--regardless of their neurologies--have burdens to bear. I don't see how hating a part of yourself that you can't change is going to empower you to make things better for you.

As soon as they can reliably determine the genetic makeup of autism, many people will not have a choice, just like many people with DS do not have a choice. Their biological mothers make that choice for them before they are even born. This topic is way larger than you are envisioning right now. It isn't that simple. And there are serious ethical implications all the way around. If there were a cure and I, as a parent, chose to embrace my kids the way they are, would I be considered abusive? Would adults who declined a cure be further marginalized and blamed for their own difficulties?

All I am saying is it isn't simple, and NT people are not guaranteed a life any better than yours. And there are undoubtedly some who have lives of poorer quality than yours. I think that what each of us have to do is to start where we are and find ways to make things better, not wish that we started where someone else is. That is futile.

[leester]

Nov 15, 2015 21:16:47 GMT itt2 said:

Leester, you are falling prey to the fallacy that a "normal functioning person" does not have any difficulties. Normal functioning people can be addicts, have personality disorders, be lazy, be the result of poor or abusive parenting, have sub-par intelligence, lack education, be raised in poverty, or any other number of things that can lead them to deal with significant difficulty. In fact, the world is full of NT people who have all kinds of difficulty.

It makes me sad that you think you are not "on par with a neurotypical" just the way you are. Sure, you have difficulties, but that doesn't make you *less than* somebody else (who, by the way, likely also has difficulties, even if they don't share the same ones you do).

I am not saying you are wrong to want to have an easier life. I am saying that many people--regardless of their neurologies--have burdens to bear. I don't see how hating a part of yourself that you can't change is going to empower you to make things better for you.

As soon as they can reliably determine the genetic makeup of autism, many people will not have a choice, just like many people with DS do not have a choice. Their biological mothers make that choice for them before they are even born. This topic is way larger than you are envisioning right now. It isn't that simple. And there are serious ethical implications all the way around. If there were a cure and I, as a parent, chose to embrace my kids the way they are, would I be considered abusive? Would adults who declined a cure be further marginalized and blamed for their own difficulties?

All I am saying is it isn't simple, and NT people are not guaranteed a life any better than yours. And there are undoubtedly some who have lives of poorer quality than yours. I think that what each of us have to do is to start where we are and find ways to make things better, not wish that we started where someone else is. That is futile.

This website I thought was to both welcome both pro cure and pro acceptance. I want to be able to share my pro cure views without being pitied.

Please don't feel sad for me wanting a cure. I have a successful life. That is the last thing I want, is someone to feel bad for me. If there is never going to be a cure. Then so be it. Yes it isn't that simple but you need to be aware that this site was made for both pro cure and pro acceptance people on the spectrum. My parents love me the way I am and I am happy with who I am. It may not be a cure that would ultimately help autistics but maybe something like what bionic eyes would be for a blind person.

If I can't share some of my views then I really don't feel welcome. If you like your daughter the way she is. That's great. I'm not forcing a cure on your daughter. But I don't think you should try to convince me to not find a cure. Yes there are neurotypicals who are having much more difficulty than I am but that shouldn't be a reason for autistic who do want a cure. I don't know for sure if there will a cure or not but if there isn't then I will just have to accept myself.

I'm not denying that there are neurotypicals who have it rougher than I do. I'm glad I'm not homeless or have not been abused, and I feel like I am darn lucky to have lived the life I have lived. Winning 6 national championships in radio control car racing is a great reason not to hate myself. It is a motivator to love myself.


Iliketrees posted this before but I thought this was good. However you don't have to agree with it.


slatestarcodex.com/2015/10/12/against-against-autism-cures/

[itt2]

Let me be very clear: I do not feel sad for you because you want a cure. I really don't care if you want a cure or not. That is your personal perspective and you are entitled to it.

I said I felt sad because you said "It would not make me super man or *on par with a neurotypical*" If you read what you wrote, you are saying that in your current state, you feel you are NOT on par with a neurotypical. I find that sad. You then said "Not as good as a normal functioning person, but right up there." If I am to read what you wrote, without reading anything into it, you are saying that you feel you are not as good as a "normal functioning person."

Not that I even know what a normal functioning person is.

Then you said "If I can't share some of my views then I really don't feel welcome." Did I say that you can't share your views? Or even that you shouldn't? Or are you saying that *I* shouldn't share *my* views because they are different than yours? Maybe I should be the one who does not feel welcome?

For the record, I would not consider myself anti-cure, (though I do strongly identify as pro-acceptance). There are just large ethical issues attached to such conversations and the thought that kids like mine could be identified in utero at some point in the future and denied their right to exist fills me with despair.

[iliketrees]

It wasn't me who found that link originally. Credit is to ylevental who originally posted it to WP, I just linked it on here because I wasn't sure if everyone had seen it.