I was on a group forum, and the discussion was the Five for Fighting video, that is trying to raise money for a cure for autism. Many were excitedly passing along the link, and I did so as well. But an autistic gentleman spoke up, and took offense at these efforts. He said, "As a person on the autistic spectrum, myself, I find it very appalling that anyone would want to raise funds to find a "cure" for autism without consulting those living with autism or within the autistic spectrum, in any way." He went on to discourage us from participating in watching the video and thus contributing money toward this cause.
It raised conflicting feelings in me. I do want there to be scientific research into autism. But I also support Neurodiversity.
This is what I wrote in response to his post. What are your thoughts on this topic?
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I have an autistic son. I am not looking for a "cure," as most
people define it. I think my son is perfect, exactly as he is.
However, my son does struggle at times. Painfully so. And if I
could take that pain away, and help him to achieve the control over
himself that he desperately seeks, then yes, I would be interested in
helping him. Does that mean I want a cure? I don't wish to make
him "normal" or "typical," or to remove that which makes him so
beautiful and unique, but I do wish I could help him to live more
easily in this world.
I guess I wonder what is meant by "cure." Would it be a full out
cure, that takes an autistic and turns him neurotypical? I don't see
that as something we'll see in our lifetime. I can't even imagine
how that could be possible, since the autism affects so many aspects
of his person and his personality, his thinking and his actions.
Perhaps there will be smaller "cures," little things that improve
parts of the autism so that life is easier. Herbals to help with
this, vitamins to help with that, therapy to improve whatever.
That's not so different with what we all deal with in some form or
another. Not trying to "cure" the autism and make it vanish, but to
find ways to make life less abrasive, to make autistics more
comfortable and retain better control when frustration strikes.
I don't think the word "cure" means the same thing to everybody. But
I'm certainly not going to tell my friend, who is the father of an
autistic boy, that he shouldn't look for a cure. Not after he just
held his son to keep him from injuring himself while his son looked
up tearfully and asked, "Why can't I stop, Daddy?" And I'm not going
to take the hope out of a mother's dream of seeing her daughter speak
one day. Their children may never be looked upon as "cured," but
perhaps their lives can be made easier. Is that looking for a cure?
And if a musician wants to donate money that could benefit any and
all autistics and their families, by supporting research and
awareness, then I would applaud that musician, and support their
efforts.
That video by Five for Fighting is raising awareness. That benefits
us all, whether we are seeking a "cure" or not. And any research
that this band supports may eventually make your life easier, even if
it can't ever make you neurotypical, and even if you have no desire
to ever *be* neurotypical. Any "cure" requires research, and
research can enlighten. The deeper science delves into what autism
is, and how it affects us all, the more likely they will be to find
ways to assist us. That's a good thing. That can promote
understanding. Perhaps even acceptance. I don't think of it as
supporting a "cure." I do support research. They'll never rip the
autism from my child. It is part of who he is. And he is perfect,
just as he was created. But in the search for a cure, perhaps we
will all learn more about autism, and perhaps find new things that
can benefit us all.
So yes, I'll watch the video, and I'll pass it on to others. I do
support neurodiversity. I am not looking for a "cure." I don't wish
to banish autism into extinction. I do seek understanding. I seek
acceptance. I want research. I seek help for those who might need
some assistance in functioning comfortably in this world. And I seek
to make my son's life easier for him.
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