I was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome 12 years ago (by a psychiatrist who is an expert on AS) and  I want to be cured. I was suicidal for years because of having AS and it wasn't until I found religion that I didn't want to kill myself anymore.

Are you against the very existence of a cure or just being cured yourself?

There are probably large number of people with AS who want to be cured and I am willing to spend every dollar I own if it meant I could be cured.

If you oppose the existence of a cure wouldn't you be ruining it for all those who want to be cured.

Also I don;t know what the term 'aspie' has become so popular. I think it is derogatory as you wouldn't call someone with Down's syndrome a 'downie'

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Really?  I think both terms are fairly harmless and make the condition sound less medical and looming.  Also, seriously, Asperger's Syndrome?  Terrible name.  Jokes make themselves.

Also, can't speak for the site itself, but I personally think that a 'cure' like you would cure cancer or something is impossible because autism is genetic.  If it was possible, it would be a problem because if it was discovered it would almost certainly be used on all AS children, and that's not fair choice.

Also also, the fact is that most current 'pro-cure' groups exist for the sole purpose of separating desperate parents and people like you from every dollar they own in exchange for 'cures' that work no better (or worse) than a placebo.

I think spending every dollar you have towards finding a cure is wasting your money.
I am glad your religion has helped, what was it about religion that helped you?

Jade, why would you want to call everyone in special ed. a 'tard'? I know what the term means, but I don't understand why you would use this term?

I'd be willing to bet money that you did not feel suicidal due to AS alone - perhaps you were bullied or have other comorbids?

The problem is that if a cure was invented, it would inevitably be forced upon people. Not to mention that the reason why someone might wish a cure may be due to not having the full information.

That is quite sad - i'd hope you can find the self-esteem to accept yourself.

I believe that it is better to teach self-acceptance than ruin many many more lives as happens in the pursuit of a cure, or as would happen should one become available.

If people with downs preferred to call themselves "downies" then I would say it's more offensive to refuse to call them by their chosen name.

Many people find the "person first" terminology deeply offensive, myself included - it makes the assumption that we are all ashamed of our neurology.

Doing so makes you no better than any of the other numerous bigots around.

What's the hardest part EdwinW being Asperger?

At one time I hated being underemployed but I am properly employed now.  I still would rather be in a relationship but I understand that is hard when one has Asperger.

Was your previous unemployment a direct consequence of your neurology or a side-effect of prejudice?

Prejudice I say.  When I did got one job I was mock interviewing to death.  

I know it is like saying if I was black making myself white would take away being a victim of prejudice.  Yes it would.

In the case of relationships, it may be more of a functional limitation.  The NT woman wants to share our very mind and soul but she cannot.  She will never be an Aspie, there will always be something between us.  It will always nag her.

I forget the title but I have a book written by a man who did anthropological research under cover (1960 something).  He was Caucasian, able to darken his skin with a chemical and reverse it.  He could report on how people in the south treated him.

a quick question first what is a TARD? is it a longer word with the RE missing? if so its not a word I would choose to use with or without encouragment from any droup who choose to use it.

Anyway I think this thread opens and interesting new debate and one I have had with myself many times. Is it hte religeon that inspires the wish for a cure? or what if you were cured and found you only got into the religeon through the 'different' though patterns caused by AS and then didnt follow the faith anymore?

I often think of all the facets of my personality and being all of which are founded on AS so if i were to take a magic pill and become "normal" what would my normal be? As there are many NT's who are basically not very nice people and i wouldnt want to be one of them, It would be nice to have abetter sense of who i am and feel less of the 'odd one out' but at what cost?

never the less it is a worthy subject of debate and bravely started!

Yes tinkadill you are exactly right, it is an abbreviation.  People want to "spit" their insults and two syllables is too much to say.  From what I can gather they are using social behavior as an insult: social behavior could be very similar across the special children groups.  Lay people don't know what "Asperger syndrome" is, they only know what "mental retardation" is, and they attack anything that is different to their culture.

If an Asperger child has intelligence it may not be readily apparent.  What the lay people see is the short school bus that goes to a different school.  Even in the mainstream schools.... yeah, sure, it is plausible for a person with MR to go to the neighborhood high school.

Of course the damage to our self-esteem, by the time we end up in a good college and it is no longer plausible that we are MR, is long done.....

I have days when I want to die and days I don't. Admittedly, the former are less since diagnosis because so much of myself has been explained, plus the blame I assigned to myself and was assigned by other people for "being a horrible person" has been removed to a massive degree - however what I cannot overcome is the secrecy necessary, and those relationships damaged beyond repair.

Would I want to be cured? NOW? I don't see the point. 20 years ago when I was a teenager? Absolutely, hell yeah. I'd timetravel and "cure" myself if I could because I have SUFFERED because of this condition.

Bear in mind that my official diagnosis is less than a year old, although my parents knew something was up when I was in a pram.

Dont get your hopes up there will probably never be a "cure",there is only therapy to help us adjust to society,so we fit in better.

Proud to be called Aspie ,here

I agree with that Gareth!

It would be nice if society could change and adjust to be more open and accepting to people who are different - rather than expecting minority groups to adapt to fit in with the majority.