should autism be cured?

[Keyboard Warriors]

Ok, I'll believe for now. Now, is there any way for you to discuss this subject without flipping out?

I don't trust you. You said that you don't believe me, why would you change your bigoted view now?

Dude, you should chill. Seriously. I can understand this might be a sensitive subject for you but you turned it up to 11 the moment you made your first post and frankly nobody is suggesting what you seem to be most upset about.

[The Black Forrest]

It isn't Nazi-style eugenics but it would still be a eugenics program.

Sorry you raise the Eugenics argument, it's referring to the Nazis.

If it was a Eugenics program; people would be denied breeding rights for simply having an autistic in the family.

Why would the parents have to be the ones making decisions about the cure?

It's their right as parents. Children lack the "reasoning" abilities for such things.

Many autistic people can communicate for themselves, and many parents and other authority figures misunderstand and mistreat their autistic children.

What exactly does that have to do with a "cure?"

Also, I find the focus on victimization from major pro-cure organizations very patronizing and especially the way they make it all about the parents, etc and how much of a burden it supposedly is to have autistic people around. I know being autistic doesn't make you superior or anything (I've called out people on this thread who have that attitude several times) but that doesn't mean I want to be treated as some kind of tragic patient bringing hardship to all around me.

*shrugs* I am not sure why you think it's a gift?

A coworker has two twin non-communicative low functioning autistics. One even made the news for getting lost in the woods once. The other cracked the coworkers head open by slamming the car door on his head.

You think he doesn't wish they could be "cured?"

[Nazi Flower Power]

I haven't changed too much since second grade. Obviously we get more mature, and that has some effects, but you still remain mostly the same.

So what makes you think getting rid of your autism would have more effects than 10 or 20 years of maturing? Have you even been alive for 20 years to see how much can change in that amount of time?

It's not like someone would just flip a switch and you'd suddenly lose every trait that makes you unique. You'd still have all your memories of everything you experienced before the autism was cured, and that would always influence your worldview. You'd still have all your knowledge of everything you learned before being cured. You'd still have your hobbies and any personality quirks that weren't directly caused by the autism.

[Ardoki]

I haven't changed too much since second grade. Obviously we get more mature, and that has some effects, but you still remain mostly the same.

So what makes you think getting rid of your autism would have more effects than 10 or 20 years of maturing? Have you even been alive for 20 years to see how much can change in that amount of time?

It's not like someone would just flip a switch and you'd suddenly lose every trait that makes you unique. You'd still have all your memories of everything you experienced before the autism was cured, and that would always influence your worldview. You'd still have all your knowledge of everything you learned before being cured. You'd still have your hobbies and any personality quirks that weren't directly caused by the autism.

If he was "cured" of autism, he would view his memories and his knowledge in a completely different way. He may even act and think like a completely new person.
Autism effects how the brain works and makes sense of the world. Getting rid of someone autism would be like creating an entirely new person.

[Socialist Tera]

I am surprised no one has brought up concerns for the safety of the operations, if it is too dangerous surely it should not be compulsory for low functioning autistic people to be cured.

[Ardoki]

I am surprised no one has brought up concerns for the safety of the operations, if it is too dangerous surely it should not be compulsory for low functioning autistic people to be cured.

No one brought it up because we all know that it is probably impossible to "cure" autism.

[Nazi Flower Power]

So what makes you think getting rid of your autism would have more effects than 10 or 20 years of maturing? Have you even been alive for 20 years to see how much can change in that amount of time?

It's not like someone would just flip a switch and you'd suddenly lose every trait that makes you unique. You'd still have all your memories of everything you experienced before the autism was cured, and that would always influence your worldview. You'd still have all your knowledge of everything you learned before being cured. You'd still have your hobbies and any personality quirks that weren't directly caused by the autism.

If he was "cured" of autism, he would view his memories and his knowledge in a completely different way. He may even act and think like a completely new person.
Autism effects how the brain works and makes sense of the world. Getting rid of someone autism would be like creating an entirely new person.

Don't other mental disorders, which are currently treatable, affect the way people's brains work and how they make sense of the world? Curing other disorders can sometimes have dramatic effects, but it doesn't erase everything a person was before they were treated. How would curing autism be "creating an entirely new person" any more than curing other disorders? Curing a schizophrenic probably changes their perception of the world a lot more than curing an autistic would, yet we still do what we can to cure schizophrenics.

Mind you, I don't think every case of autism needs to be cured. I also don't think every case of ADHD, bipolar, etc. needs to be cured. A lot of people have untreated mental disorders that they just live with, sometimes more successfully than others, but that doesn't mean nobody should be allowed to get treatment for their kids or that it's "murder" to put someone on meds.

[Socialist Tera]

I am surprised no one has brought up concerns for the safety of the operations, if it is too dangerous surely it should not be compulsory for low functioning autistic people to be cured.

No one brought it up because we all know that it is probably impossible to "cure" autism.

What we know of. We are still know relatively next to nothing about how mental illnesses work.

[Ardoki]

If he was "cured" of autism, he would view his memories and his knowledge in a completely different way. He may even act and think like a completely new person.
Autism effects how the brain works and makes sense of the world. Getting rid of someone autism would be like creating an entirely new person.

Don't other mental disorders, which are currently treatable, affect the way people's brains work and how they make sense of the world? Curing other disorders can sometimes have dramatic effects, but it doesn't erase everything a person was before they were treated. How would curing autism be "creating an entirely new person" any more than curing other disorders? Curing a schizophrenic probably changes their perception of the world a lot more than curing an autistic would, yet we still do what we can to cure schizophrenics.

Mind you, I don't think every case of autism needs to be cured. I also don't think every case of ADHD, bipolar, etc. needs to be cured. A lot of people have untreated mental disorders that they just live with, sometimes more successfully than others, but that doesn't mean nobody should be allowed to get treatment for their kids or that it's "murder" to put someone on meds.

Autism is very different to other mental disorders. It effects the way we view the world differently to someone who has schizophrenia.

[Dalcaria]

I think some people keep mistaking high functioning autism, like Aspergers Syndrom, with low functioning autism, which is debilitating and prevents those with it from living independent lives.

Those with high functioning autism, however, still have more problems than people without any sort of mental illness. They have trouble making friends and connecting with people, and often they unwillingly live very solitary lives because of it. I will say, though, that people with high-function autism probably can think well enough to decide if they want it cured or not (after a certain age, anyways, like all people).

There's someone I know personally who has high functioning autism, and I will admit that it does give him some slight difficulty catching social queues and such. He can definitely be independent, but it has slowed him down a bit. Do I think he should be cured? Well, I think that's entirely up to him at this point. As for cures for children with autism, is somewhat irrelevant if a parent wants it or not, because one way or another, once a child is old enough the choice will be up to them. That said though, if we can cure low functioning autism, definitely something that should be considered as being a state position. Since they can't chose for themselves, I'm not sure if it's fair to allow their parents to force them to continue to be the way they are if they might not want to be that way.

[Ardoki]

No one brought it up because we all know that it is probably impossible to "cure" autism.

What we know of. We are still know relatively next to nothing about how mental illnesses work.

Autism effects the way the brain works. Our brains are literally "wired" differently to NT's. I don't really see how you could cure it effectively.

[Nazi Flower Power]

I am surprised no one has brought up concerns for the safety of the operations, if it is too dangerous surely it should not be compulsory for low functioning autistic people to be cured.

1. I don't think any of us were imagining an operation as a cure.
2. It kind of goes without saying that you don't force people to use a dangerous medical procedure...
3. A lot of us are already saying treatment shouldn't be mandatory. If we already said it shouldn't be mandatory in general, there is no need to address the subject of "if it is too dangerous."

[Socialist Tera]

What we know of. We are still know relatively next to nothing about how mental illnesses work.

Autism effects the way the brain works. Our brains are literally "wired" differently to NT's. I don't really see how you could cure it effectively.

It would require an operation or some kind of drug that would "rewire" the brain. My brain works differently from most people with Aspergers because I also have Dissoactive idenity disorder and Bordeline personality disorder. Yes, they can co-morbid, it caused by extreme abuse.

[Ardoki]

Autism effects the way the brain works. Our brains are literally "wired" differently to NT's. I don't really see how you could cure it effectively.

It would require an operation or some kind of drug that would "rewire" the brain. My brain works differently from most people with Aspergers because I also have Dissoactive idenity disorder and Bordeline personality disorder. Yes, they can co-morbid, it caused by extreme abuse.

My brain also works differently, due to my other diagnoses of ADHD and NPD.

[Nazi Flower Power]

Don't other mental disorders, which are currently treatable, affect the way people's brains work and how they make sense of the world? Curing other disorders can sometimes have dramatic effects, but it doesn't erase everything a person was before they were treated. How would curing autism be "creating an entirely new person" any more than curing other disorders? Curing a schizophrenic probably changes their perception of the world a lot more than curing an autistic would, yet we still do what we can to cure schizophrenics.

Mind you, I don't think every case of autism needs to be cured. I also don't think every case of ADHD, bipolar, etc. needs to be cured. A lot of people have untreated mental disorders that they just live with, sometimes more successfully than others, but that doesn't mean nobody should be allowed to get treatment for their kids or that it's "murder" to put someone on meds.

Autism is very different to other mental disorders. It effects the way we view the world differently to someone who has schizophrenia.

I didn't say it had the exact same effects as schizophrenia, just that both affect the way you perceive the world. Sorry to burst your bubble, but autism is not some special thing in a class by itself completely incomparable to any other mental illness. If you want to convince me that it would be wrong to cure your autism, this is not the best way to go about it. Please educate yourself about some basic psychology before you spout off any more bullshit about how the issues you've raised are unique to autism.

You haven't answered my question of how curing autism would be "creating an entirely new person" any more than curing other mental illnesses.

[Ardoki]

Autism is very different to other mental disorders. It effects the way we view the world differently to someone who has schizophrenia.

I didn't say it had the exact same effects as schizophrenia, just that both affect the way you perceive the world. Sorry to burst your bubble, but autism is not some special thing in a class by itself completely incomparable to any other mental illness. If you want to convince me that it would be wrong to cure your autism, this is not the best way to go about it. Please educate yourself about some basic psychology before you spout off any more bullshit about how the issues you've raised are unique to autism.

You haven't answered my question of how curing autism would be "creating an entirely new person" any more than curing other mental illnesses.

I have no understanding of psychology? It is you who think that autism and schizophrenia effect the brain similarly.

[Ethel mermania]

So what makes you think getting rid of your autism would have more effects than 10 or 20 years of maturing? Have you even been alive for 20 years to see how much can change in that amount of time?

It's not like someone would just flip a switch and you'd suddenly lose every trait that makes you unique. You'd still have all your memories of everything you experienced before the autism was cured, and that would always influence your worldview. You'd still have all your knowledge of everything you learned before being cured. You'd still have your hobbies and any personality quirks that weren't directly caused by the autism.

If he was "cured" of autism, he would view his memories and his knowledge in a completely different way. He may even act and think like a completely new person.
Autism effects how the brain works and makes sense of the world. Getting rid of someone autism would be like creating an entirely new person.

you really need to source that, both loovas and greenspans work say the recovered kids like and do the same sorts of things as they did before, they just no longer meet the criteria of a dx of autism.

i understand you feel the way you do, i understand why you feel the way you do, but the science, and my own personal experience in the community says your wrong.

[Ardoki]

If he was "cured" of autism, he would view his memories and his knowledge in a completely different way. He may even act and think like a completely new person.
Autism effects how the brain works and makes sense of the world. Getting rid of someone autism would be like creating an entirely new person.

you really need to source that, both loovas and greenspans work say the recovered kids like and do the same sorts of things as they did before, they just no longer meet the criteria of a dx of autism.

i understand you feel the way you do, i understand why you feel the way you do, but the science, and my own personal experience in the community says your wrong.

No one has ever been "cured" of autism. People can learn to manage the symptoms of their autism, however they still have it, their brain has not changed.

[Ethel mermania]

you really need to source that, both loovas and greenspans work say the recovered kids like and do the same sorts of things as they did before, they just no longer meet the criteria of a dx of autism.

i understand you feel the way you do, i understand why you feel the way you do, but the science, and my own personal experience in the community says your wrong.

No one has ever been "cured" of autism. People can learn to manage the symptoms of their autism, however they still have it, their brain has not changed.

you want to source that? even kanners original work says a small group kids "grow out of it" and he had no idea why.

[Ardoki]

No one has ever been "cured" of autism. People can learn to manage the symptoms of their autism, however they still have it, their brain has not changed.

you want to source that? even kanners original work says a small group kids "grow out of it" and he had no idea why.

You are the one who is making the claim. You prove that people "grow out of" autism.

"Growing out of autism" is a myth: http://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2013/01/17/can-people-really-grow-out-of-autism/

[Alcase]

Yes

[Ethel mermania]

you want to source that? even kanners original work says a small group kids "grow out of it" and he had no idea why.

You are the one who is making the claim. You prove that people "grow out of autism".

actually you are but i gave you several sources

kanners original paper on autism.
loovas's peer reviewed studies on his form of aba
greenspans papers on floortime.

[Ardoki]

You are the one who is making the claim. You prove that people "grow out of autism".

actually you are but i gave you several sources

kanners original paper on autism.
loovas's peer reviewed studies on his form of aba
greenspans papers on floortime.

Links?

Here is an article from Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2013/01/17/can-people-really-grow-out-of-autism/

[Ethel mermania]

you want to source that? even kanners original work says a small group kids "grow out of it" and he had no idea why.

You are the one who is making the claim. You prove that people "grow out of" autism.

"Growing out of autism" is a myth: http://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2013/01/17/can-people-really-grow-out-of-autism/

"once she started writing about the "positive aspects of autism" i knew it wasnt sciece, that was an opinion piece had nothing to do with facts. she is writing for the autism as a civil right crowd

to refute her point, if you no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for autism, you no longer have autism. it is that simple. the persons other issues dont necessarilly change, but what it is not a celebration of otherness

greenspan, the child with special needs his appendixs have the study papers

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2943764/

[KASSRD]

A few people do grow out of Autism, that is true. But the almost always do it when their young.
As for I wouldn't change too much. Well here's some ways I would change,
1. I would go from being anti-social and being alone to liking to be with people.
2. Like above, I would go from spending free time reading, on here, and other alone things I would spend it with friends.
3. The way I perceive the world would be different, as Autistics senses and perception are deferent.
4. Since the way I perceive would be deferent, its reasonable to assume my memories would also be deferent.
5. My grades would probably drop.
6. Most of my personality is affected by Autism and would change at least a little.
7. My logic and reasoning would go down, while my social skills would go up.
8. I would show more emotion then I do now.
9. My routine would change.
10. Several of my physical attributes would change, such as how I walk, sleep, routine, etc.
11. Lots and lots and lots more.
You see, I would change a lot. Enough that in my opinion I wouldn't be the same person.