Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group
Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder which manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers.
Has anybody heard of the neurodiversity movement? I've read about it, and I completely disagree with it in every possible way that I can. They say that instead of searching for a cure for autism, we should spend our time celebrating the diversity of their "autistic differences". They claim that by searching for a cure for your child's autism, parents are really saying that they wish their autistic child did not exist, and they had a different (non-autistic) child instead. That, they claim, is what parents are saying when searching for a cure. They also claim that parents of autistic children "conflate" their unhappiness with the autistic child's unhappiness.
My thoughts border on extreme anger. How can a teenager (still in diapers) who can't communicate his basic needs or interact with a confusing world around him possibly be happy? The head of the NIMH said, "...if you could get rid of autism, I would say, go for it. There are plenty of other challenges in life that will make people miserable; let's at least have people face them without having to wear diapers." When he speaks of neurodiversity or acceptance, he adds, "When your child is 12 years old and not toilet-trained, or is head-banging at 15, how much of your acceptance is wise and how much is preventing recovery?"
I see no fault in a parent trying to make their children healthier, even if it is "searching for a cure" as some put it. Why do these "neurodiversity people" feel the need to ostracize parents for just trying to help their children? It may be that my son (along with other autistic children) can find more happiness or the pathways to happiness and a better life by me "searching for a cure" or a "recovery from autistic symptoms". What is so wrong with that? I love my son and am just trying to give him the best life possible.
But Kathleen Seidel, a strong proponent of the neurodiversity movement, goes against this train of thought by saying, "The word 'incurable' is quite devastating-sounding, but you can also look at it as being that autism is durable . . . It is unproductive to rail against the incurable; if you can learn to love it, that's your best chance of happiness." I simply don't understand this, and it does make me mad. Maybe it's that some people who are a part of the neurodiversity movement are high-functioning autistics (Ari Ne'eman, for example, a high-functioning adult with Asperger's) and really don't have much knowledge of dealing with those on the more severe end of the autism spectrum. If this is the case, they need to look at it from all perspectives. Celebrate autistic diversity? Not on my watch!!!
I am going to celebrate my son as a individual, but I absolutely NOT going to celebrate his autistic differences or neurodiversity. I am NOT going to celebrate his severely impaired immune system. I am NOT going to celebrate his impaired neurotransmitter function. I am NOT going to celebrate his chronic yeast overgrowth and inflammation. I am NOT going to celebrate heavy metal poisoning and the inability to detox these metals and other toxins. And I am most certainly NOT going to celebrate over two years of chronic diarrhea.
What I am going to do is to try to fix (or cure) these things, so my son can be the best possible person he can be. Simply put, it's the job of a good and loving parent, which I am proud to be. What's so wrong with that?
My thoughts border on extreme anger. How can a teenager (still in diapers) who can't communicate his basic needs or interact with a confusing world around him possibly be happy? The head of the NIMH said, "...if you could get rid of autism, I would say, go for it. There are plenty of other challenges in life that will make people miserable; let's at least have people face them without having to wear diapers." When he speaks of neurodiversity or acceptance, he adds, "When your child is 12 years old and not toilet-trained, or is head-banging at 15, how much of your acceptance is wise and how much is preventing recovery?"
I see no fault in a parent trying to make their children healthier, even if it is "searching for a cure" as some put it. Why do these "neurodiversity people" feel the need to ostracize parents for just trying to help their children? It may be that my son (along with other autistic children) can find more happiness or the pathways to happiness and a better life by me "searching for a cure" or a "recovery from autistic symptoms". What is so wrong with that? I love my son and am just trying to give him the best life possible.
But Kathleen Seidel, a strong proponent of the neurodiversity movement, goes against this train of thought by saying, "The word 'incurable' is quite devastating-sounding, but you can also look at it as being that autism is durable . . . It is unproductive to rail against the incurable; if you can learn to love it, that's your best chance of happiness." I simply don't understand this, and it does make me mad. Maybe it's that some people who are a part of the neurodiversity movement are high-functioning autistics (Ari Ne'eman, for example, a high-functioning adult with Asperger's) and really don't have much knowledge of dealing with those on the more severe end of the autism spectrum. If this is the case, they need to look at it from all perspectives. Celebrate autistic diversity? Not on my watch!!!
I am going to celebrate my son as a individual, but I absolutely NOT going to celebrate his autistic differences or neurodiversity. I am NOT going to celebrate his severely impaired immune system. I am NOT going to celebrate his impaired neurotransmitter function. I am NOT going to celebrate his chronic yeast overgrowth and inflammation. I am NOT going to celebrate heavy metal poisoning and the inability to detox these metals and other toxins. And I am most certainly NOT going to celebrate over two years of chronic diarrhea.
What I am going to do is to try to fix (or cure) these things, so my son can be the best possible person he can be. Simply put, it's the job of a good and loving parent, which I am proud to be. What's so wrong with that?
These ppl, as another poster said, usually self-diagnosed and deluded and *very* self-absorbed.
Then again, a link between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and creativity have been found, but I don't think anyone would not want a cure for either when presented in the extreme. It may just be that a familial predisposition for these disorders are linked to high intelligence or creativity. Why else would they persist as they do given the stigma involved?
This is a VERY interesting point. This is yet another angle on the neurodiversity debate.. one that is worth thoroughly investigating. I don't think anyone would argue that we should celebrate schizophrenia or or bipolar, as this poster said.
I suppose the way i look at it is this: i think of my pdd-nos the same way more or less i see the problem i have with my bladder leaks..do i like it? NO.. is it a fact of life YES... Has it tought me something (ie patience and pain tolerance) yes.. is it a good thing..NOT NECESSARILY.
In that light autism can simiralry be seen. Again, is it something "good" or "benefeical?" NO. But can you learn from it and have it affect your life in a positive way? MOST DEFINITELY.