The key to it all, Kylo, is choice. And you have that. My view is that the only Autistics who would even consider a "cure" would be LFA's - and even then I'm not sure about that. I doubt if any HFA's or Aspies would try it willingly. I actually doubt any "curing" would be possible once a child hits puberty anyway. The key period is prior to that IMHO.
parents may not tell there child what there taking though.
Choice is only free in a society where autistic people are not so devalued that many would take the choice just in order to fit in for once.
Choice is only free in a society where autistic people are not so devalued that many would take the choice just in order to fit in for once.
I have to agree on this. If a "cure" was available and diagnosis was early -- you can bet those parents would feel "forced" to treat their child. Most of the kids would be so brainwashed to think that they had to have the cure or they would die.
I read Amanda Baggs's blog over at
http://ballastexistenz.autistics.org , and she talks a lot about what it's physically like being "LFA".
One problem I remembered her mentioning, which I think is very relevant, is that she often can't say no to people. Saying "I'm fine" to doctors when she's in excruciating pain, for example, or just answering "yes" to any question, are serious issues. Many LFAs could end up taking this hypothetical "cure" without wanting to because they couldn't say no.
On a side note, I'm very borderline NT and still experience wat she's described to some extent, so it's not even just an LFA issue. I think it's foolish of people to divide the two so thouroughly- AS and and regular autism are different, but much more the same than most people make them out to be, and HFA-LFA are even less divided. Not to mention, I have met just as many aspies who want a cure as I have met LFAs who want a cure. In every case, either what they want cured is really some nasty comorbids and not the autism itself (but try convincing THEM of that!), or they only want a cure because the world has been so cruel to them that they can't stand it anymore.
I'm not saying I would support denying a cure to anyone who wants one. But some serious changes need to be made, and more understanding needs to be brought to the issue. Frankly, I don't think the world is ready for a cure (if one were possible, which I doubt), even with the restrictions Kylo put in place for this exercise.
Just FYI, I don't identify as LFA. It's the only designation I've ever been officially given on paper (and that at a time when I could do a lot of things I can't now), but I don't actually personally identify as a functioning level or acknowledge functioning levels as valid except in the sense of "this particular skill at this particular point in time" or something. (The TV thing helped perpetuate that particular myth though, after I told them a zillion times I don't believe in that stuff.) A friend, though, after getting out of range of my throwing arm, told me I ought to identify as "functioning level not otherwise specified" or something.
I am so uncomfortable with this topic because in our imperfect world there would always be those in control who would use their power to subject the persons under them to take the pill. I can't see any cure as being voluntary on this planet of power and control. The strongest would win out over the weakest and someone would corrupt a cure by making it super expensive or something.
Well, when the people in the X-Men took the "cure" that was offered, they started to die. I would be concerned about the long term side effects of any medication that was purported to cure us. Some of these side effects could take decades to appear.
Oh i know it's all hypothetical, I just have a very over active imagination. Maybe uncomfortable wasn't the right word. It could make a good story line against a cure if you could write it with all the things that could go wrong and show how people think they are doing something for the good of their children when its all about creating a perfect little family. Its reallly is an excellent senario for discussion.
I don't know what Amanda Baggs is trying to say. I have heard her mentioned a few times.
M in what context don't you understand what A. Baggs is trying to say? In reguards to LFA/ HFA labels or just her blog in general? I think she's very articulate in expressing her ideas. I don't think I understand something?
Well, as long as its not forced, autistics can choose whether onr not they want the treatment. Of course, I'd be a little more for it if were like a perscription drug or something because we sort of need Aspies in this world.
Choice is only free in a society where autistic people are not so devalued that many would take the choice just in order to fit in for once.
Brilliant! The coercive nature of society's malevolent rejection makes free will almost impossible.
if somebody really REALLY wants a cure that bad, then there should be a cure available for them. but i really do not think parents sould try to talk their children into it or force it on them. i agree with the "wait until they're 16" policy. the time when the child can start speaking for himself, whether it's speaking, typing nodding, etc. i think people should be educated about autism first, though. Although I never liked the idea of "curing" since i first heard of it, some autistics do start out wanting a cure but then change their minds after knowing more about their disorder.
I wouldn't mind someone giving a short summary of what Amanda Baggs is trying to say. I just find her video too distracting and I can not understand the audio track. If she had text with it, I would be able to understand it. I can't really agree or disagree with her opinions since I don't know them.