The more and more I read about autism the more I hear about “the search for a cure” and every time it makes me sick to my stomach at the thought. Cure? For what? I cant classify ASD so easily as bad, wrong, evil to be eradicated, or an “illness” exactly to need a cure. Yes there are things that are difficult because autism, but what exactly are we trying to “cure”? The symptoms, like stimming? They are most often coping mechanisms or leaning mechanisms -such as if they have sensory processing disorders as many do and the stimming type behavior is actually helping their bodies to learn to process the sensory input.
I guess what I am trying to say is what are we trying to change - my son is different, but it is those differences,as much as his blue eyes, blond hair that makes him who he is. There is no way the world would be a better lace with out him or other like him, they are a different, but also an important part of this world we live in.
I am a supporter of autism research and early screening, because there are a host of problems that go along with autism, and the whole picture need so be understood. The difference is that i don’t want a cure, I want a solution to learning how to understand and bond with my son, and help him to understand and bond with others.
Parents and children with autism need help, support, and resources not a magic “cure” bluuuh!
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