The idea is finally starting to phase out. But early on it was thought that Autism was something that needed (and should be) cured.
Though there are definitely some individuals who are debilitated by Autism, and all of us with ASD experience at least some aspects of a disability, these struggles largely endure because of societal expectations. Expectations of how a “normal” person should communicate, present, and otherwise function in the world.
But just because something has been deemed “normal” doesn’t mean it is the only way to do something. There are in fact a plethora of ways to happily, safely, and kindly exist in the world. A “you do you” kind of mindset should be adopted if we are to create an inclusive and compassionate society.
This is the round about way of me explaining how Autism is not 100% a disability. I and many others with ASD are in fact hurt that some people think it is. Autism can certainly make life challenging at times. But if we look at Autism as a whole, rather than picking it apart and latching onto the negative aspects of it, Autism becomes more of an evolutionary variant from the “normal” humans society has come to know and expect.
So to approach Autism as something that needs to and can be cured is the equivalent of trying to cure someone for being a… human. Now how silly is that? It’s like trying to cure someone for being left-handed (a history that shares many commonalities with that of Autism).
Autism is not a disease.
Autism is not fully a disability.
Autism is not something that is wrong with me or others like me.
Again, challenges created by Autism largely exist because society expects me to behave and live in a way that is simply unnatural for me. If Autism was the norm, and “neurotypicals” the oddities, would it not be difficult for neurotypicals to function in a world designed to suite Autism?
So please, stop thinking of Autism as something that can and needs to be cured. It is insulting. Whether I like it or not, I have AuDHD. It is who I am. Without it I would not be myself. Suggesting I need to be cured, is like suggesting I remove a major part of my identity.
To cure my AuDHD is to erase myself.