AUTISM... Disability to be treated/cured if possible or difference to be celebrated, what do you think?

Question

There are some that say AUTISM is a disability that we should work to understand and try to cure... There are those, however, that say it is simply a difference and that it should be celebrated.

Answer 1

As the aunt of a severely autistic child, this is a tough one.

My nephew is 11 and has no speech skill and is not expected to have any, although he has accomplished to form his own ways of saying yes and drink. His sign language is very minimal, but he does get his point across. On top of Autism, he has allergies to many foods, so his diet is very strict, and it is hard to get him to understand that he can't have what we are eating. He has other issues, and the doctors are not sure at this point how to define them or why. He still wears diapers, and he still drinks from a sippy cup. All this, he is the sweetest most gentle kid you can imagine. Yes he has him moments where he acts out like a 4 year having a tantrum, but if you could do it and get away with it, wouldn't you too? He is a bright kid, he knows when he is getting negative or positive reactions from people, and he shows it.

I have two of my own children, and I thank god that they are healthy, maybe that sound wrong but I thank god for my nephew as well. He has taught us all patience and tolerance and he did it through his unconditional love.

So, to answer your question, my nephew is not a disease that can be cured, he has a disability and that makes him a little different, but we celebrate him everyday.

Answer 2

I say both. As a teacher of students with autism I think there are things we can do to help “cure” –more like cope with the difficult aspects of this problem. I say problem because I have seen the pain some of these kids go through as part of this disorder.

There are, however; aspects of this disorder that make these children charming and I would be saddened to see them change.

I think Autism is like anything else people have. We need to deal with the part that hurts and celebrate the good parts.

Answer 3

My Daughter has "Sensory Integration Disorder"(SID). A friends daughter has Aspergers. Another friends son has Autism. Many people say that all 3 of these are "on the same spectrum", and all have similarities to each other. SID is at the "low" end, Autism is at the "high" end.
With that explanation done, I can go on with my "non-answer" to your question...

I wouldn't want to change my daughter from who she is! She has, as you say a "difference to be celebrated".

With that said, the society that we live in is based on "conformity", All drivers drive on the same side of the road, everyone (mostly) obeys traffic laws. Society in general NEEDS everyone to do the same thing. When they don't chaos forms (think "Davidian sect" in Texas, etc).

My daughter just entered Middle School. I tried to explain to her that all the kids at elementary school who thought she was "weird" (and went to a different school) gave her a chance to "start fresh", and not get that "weird" label put on her again. She says she understands, but I'm not sure how long that will hold off...

Medication helps her act more "normal", but that isn't a cure, just a treatment. She can perform the day-to-day activities that our society expects from her (go to classes, do homework, hand it in when it's done). When the medications wear off, she goes back to "her world"

That's all I can hope for right now. But I'm concerned as to what the future holds for her.

"Treated or Cured"? I think both are needed. Neither one alone will be enough for these kids to live in our society.

Answer 4

Disabilty, its nothing to be celebrated as it can cause major upsets to parents as well as the child and affects the normal running of a day to day life. Austistic children are hard to parent and it is a disability that needs to be treated especially if it is a major case of autism.

However it could be argued that autistic savants that are talented in a specific area could be something good as they have a high knowledge but a person that has autism and is not a savant makes it a disability

Answer 5

I have to say both as a cure will make a person normal but there is a tremendous downside for the parent, if one ignores the fate nature bestows on a child so effected.

I was a professional photographer and took the greatest care with all my subjects, but I always had an emotional benefit working with such a child.
They are blessed with a kindness and loving that we ordinary people could only dream of achieving. They are an object lesson for society and all through their comparative short life they remain so.
If Heaven was so filled I would be first in the queue to be with them.

Answer 6

It doesn't seem to me that the autistic enjoy not being able to communicate what they want or think to the people around them. It also seems arrogant to assume that autism needs to be cured, since its purer cousin, Asperger's syndrome, has yielded some of the greatest mathematicians and physicists in the history of science -- so cured by whose standards? It's a good idea, though, to take enough responsibility to teach the autistic to communicate, so that they can use language to get what they want, and stay out of danger.

Answer 7

My son is Autistic and yes i do feel that he is at a disadvantage and I feel sad for him for the things he will miss out on. However he is popular at school, doing very well academically and is very happy and contented. I feel that a large part of his progress can be attributed to the fact we have never made him feel like he should be different. I been on alot of forums in the past and have been saddened to see that alot of parents seem to be obsessed with finding a cure for their childs' condition. This often involves extremely restrictive gluten and casein free diets, masses of medication and behavioural programmes. I completely understand how helpless they may feel as i to have felt like this at some time or another, however they should stop and think what they are doing to thier child. how can a child who believes the way they behave and interact with others is so wrong ever grow to be a happy and confident individual. Yes I know that some children are more severe than others, but the vast majority of children who are subjected to these regimens do not really benefit and even if they do I would rather have a happy albeit eccentric autistic child than a well behaved, "normal" child who is miserable as they can not join in with the other children at parties because they are not allowed any of the food or are too doped up to notice.

Answer 8

Autism is a difference to be celebrated.

What a great way to look at it.

Often people with Autism have talents that really show a different level of skill or learning than we previously thought possible.

Answer 9

often people who have autism also have inherent ability though its application in life is debatable. I think this condition is one worthy of study and investigation. I also think those with autism can also teach us a different perspective on life and are highly capable of contribution to life, just by being. capable of love and being loved. I had a friend, also an excellent drummer whom i went to school with, his little brother who had autism, could spin anything plates, albums etc. though his brothers behavior would often irritate my friend the love he expressed towards his little brother was.undeniable. Often the fear of differences and the unknown causes people to shut the door on things,culture religion and people with disability's where enlightenment of ourselves can mysteriously be found.

Answer 10

autism is a disability to a parent no one wants their child to be different or to stand out in a not so good way. but you learn to deal with it . my 2 1/2 yo son has autism.