Acceptance versus cure
May 2006
by Sue Rubin
 (CNN)
-- The argument dividing the autism community regarding the need to
cure autism as opposed to accepting autistic people as a natural
expression of diversity has been on my mind a lot lately. The
possibility that I could be very autistic for the rest of my life
always upsets me. Therefore, when people talk about a cure I
actually love to hear it. To be realistic, I know I will never be
cured. The cause of my autism is a genetic anomaly and can't be
changed.
The argument dividing the autism
community regarding the need to cure autism as opposed to accepting
autistic people as a natural expression of diversity has been on my
mind a lot lately. The possibility that I could be very autistic for
the rest of my life always upsets me. Therefore, when people talk
about a cure I actually love to hear it. To be realistic, I know I
will never be cured. The cause of my autism is a genetic anomaly and
can't be changed.
The rift in the autism community
basically is between what we label high-functioning and
low-functioning people. High-functioning people speak and
low-functioning people don't. The people with Asperger's syndrome,
also a type of autism, love to talk; however, their very narrow
areas of interest give them away. These people are the ones who are
offended by the idea of a cure. They could pass for normal although
for them, sallying in a normal group is like an uptown elder at a
rap concert. They listen only to people who please them and only
speak to inform others about their interests. Social skills are
difficult to master. I believe the idea that they should be cured is
wrong. They are different, but basically are just a variation of the
norm and should be accepted as such. Some even have exceptional
abilities that should be celebrated and encouraged.
As a low-functioning autistic person
who is still really awash in autism, I actually am aligned with the
cure group, although I will not personally benefit if a cure is
found. Low-functioning people are just trying to get through the day
without hurting, tapping, flailing, biting, screaming, etc. The
thought of a gold pot of a potion with a cure really would be
wonderful.
Since this is not going to happen, I
am resigned to living my life as it is -- a constant struggle. When
I have to mask autism in class it takes a tremendous amount of
effort. When I see the other students sitting calmly or chatting or
answering questions so easily, I'm really jealous. When I had to
stop awful autistic behaviors like head-banging, it took a
tremendous amount of effort over years. When I see people living
normal lives, I am jealous. When I am really lost in autism and
can't inhibit behaviors that annoy staff, I deflect anger from
myself to them and create bad feelings. When I see how normal people
interact with their friends I am jealous.
As a person who lives with autism
daily and will not live a normal life, I find people who are high
functioning and saying society should not look for a cure offensive.
They have no idea what our lives are like. Killing autism lets me
enjoy a life with great friends and allows me to go to college, but
I must never let down my guard or autism will take over. I don't
want any more children to live, as I must, in this constant state of
war.
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