should we cure autism/asperger syndrome?

Question

I believe yes because people on the spectrum are not all asperger/high fuctioning,potenetial einsteins,have have intelligence,ect.Even when U R aspergers',life can be very difficult with sensory issues,lack of normal interests,not really being in control of themselves. I mean,what right-minded or even high enough fuctioning person would want to go though life that . I sure don't

Answer 1

For low-functioning people like my niece, YES!

For high-functioning people, like Bill Gates is suspected of being - that should be thier decision.

- - - - - - - -

Here is an answer I gave to someone with Aspergers who asked "Why should there be a cure for autism?"

You can talk. You can communicate. You understand what people tell you.

IF you are a parent of a child who throws fits & she has no way of telling you why:
IF you had no way of explaining to a scared child what this "strange man in a white coat" is doing to her (her routine physical exam):
IF you couldn't even give her a hug because the feeling of touch was torturous to her:
IF she would never look you in the eye, much less say "I love you";
IF you lived in fear for your child's life because she can't comprehend the danger of moving cars, deep water or electricity;

THEN you might be hoping for a cure - or at least some better treatment so the child isn't totally isolated in her own head.

YOU don't need a cure!

My neice does. And I wish there was a cure for my nephew's autism before he found the creek & drowned!

Answer 2

Both conditions can be very harmful. However, they can also be good, too. I think profoundly autistic people should get a cure that makes them high functioning autistic, but not get rid of the autism if they are willing to have a cure. Compare autism to being a woman. There are many bad things about it such as the average woman is not as strong as the average man, feeling inferior at times, having menstraul cramps, not being able to get a loan as easily sometimes, and being pregnant and having birth pains is not fun. However, no one tries to look for the cure to it, do they? Why? Maybe because there are good things about being a woman. There are also good things about being autistic.
Some of the good things about Asperger's are honesty, loyalty, and good knowledge of one topic. http://www.aspergerfoundation.org.uk/infosheets/ya_university.pdf
Some people with Asperger's can use their qualities to help them in art and science. http://www.uwm.edu/People/mll/as-info.htm
They may treat everyone the same despite age or status. http://www.autism.jp/asp/05_english.shtml

Answer 3

If someone is high functioning enough to say "do not cure me" then leave them be.

However, for those that are plagued by the physical problems that come along with autism - the lack of sleep, the digestion and bowel issues, the skin issue...etc Those problems should be cured.
For those who stim to the point of hurting themselves, have no way to communicate but by screaming, or who are just in their own world, yes we need to help cure that as well.

My son didn't sleep, gagged on all his foods (including bottles) to the point he was in the 7th percentile for weight, stimmed so badly he injured himself by pulling out his hair and scratching himself (he still has scars 3 years later) - and I wasn't just going to sit by and let him do that to himself, so yes in a sense I'm "curing" him.

I'm not trying to cure him to make him normal or be a perfect child, I just want the physical and behavioral issues that are HURTING him to stop. In my quest to heal his gut and stop the bowel and digestion issues he suddenly started to talk, hey not a bad side effect huh? In my quest to keep him from injuring himself he started to become aware of the world around him, again, not a bad side effect.

He'll always be quirky, and possibly socially behind, but he's no longer in pain, hurting and is a happy child. Much better than the child that cried 15 hours a day just 3 years ago.
I'll accept myself as a "curbie" just for the fact he's happy.

The day he tells me to stop curing him, I'll be happy to stop.

Answer 4

I have a friend with low intensity case of aspergers'. He has many strong talents, in engineering and math. He is not as good at social situations.

I'm not sure you can cure who someone is. I would miss friend as is.

Answer 5

I agree with Chikken. Judging by this post and previous posts, you seem to be a very bitter person with either bad info or no info. I suggest you may want to talk to a therapist for depression.

Answer 6

People considered "low functioning" have intelligence. What we should cure is ignorance about autism. Let's start with yours.