Does It Ever Stop?

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I was talking to my PT, today. I had mentioned my autism to her, previously, so today she actually wanted to tell me about another autistic person she knows. She went on to say that this person followed some advice she'd read in an article, and now she has "wiped out her autism." She was going to tell me what this person had done, and I interrupted her to say, "I don't see my autism as something I want to get rid of. In fact, I actually like it! It's been a part of me all my life, just like being left handed or introverted." She was shocked, and stared at me like I was nuts. I actually felt good about my response. I also told her that my autism had never prevented me from doing anything that I really wanted to do, so I didn't see it as a problem.

But, does it ever stop? The assumption that we are "suffering" from some horrible disease, and are desperately seeking a cure?

I feel that way too in the way that when out with my family they heavily watch me to make sure I act "normal" not really trying to "cure" me but hide it from everyone like they're ashamed. I in fact enjoy my autism it allows me to see the world in a different light. It still baffles me that even though we tell them that we're happy the way we are they still see us as suffering some how.

^Probably the media plays a large role in that.

Yes probably so but you also have to look at people or organisations like Autism Speaks or Peta who see us as defenceless poster people for their questionable goals

If I had a choice, I wouldn't change who I am. My Autism hasn't stopped me from doing what I want either. I've watched the NTs all my life and I just wish I knew a way to get them to understand that there are those of us who want to be who we are regardless of the difficulties that might challenge us. They should remember that as unusual as Autism looks to them, they will be equally unusual to us. We are NOT sick people who need to be cured like we've got cancer or something.

I know, right? We're downright lucky. We're not crippled, we're not slowly dying.. it's basically a non-disease.

hartzofspace,
to be fair to that person,it sounds like they're just ignorant rather than done through nastiness.
everyones got ignorance on something,be it the autism spectrum...or everything else could think of.
she has now learnt something new about ASD,dont judge everyone with one-the same.

"suffering" cannot be applied to a group on the spectrum,as who is anyone to say someone does or doesnt suffer,if they do or dont-no one can control that for anyone else,it should not be defaultly added to autism as its a word gained through personal experience,not outside looking in.

One thing that should be preached about the spectrum to all sides is that there isnt one functioning or ability level that represents it-there are many are independant ASDers who may see some impairment but do not see the disability,and for some of us autism provides a mixture of low QoL and a battle with basic living,coping and getting the right funding for the needed adaptions,equipment and placements.
If medications existed to lessen severity of autism,rather than spend it all finding cures that will probably never exist,it could help those of us who want/need it and get more funding to the support side,but there is still a way to go for people to see Autists as equals with a right to choice [and not subhuman or burden].

It all stops in 2012. Oh wait, that's just the end of the world. It will stop when humanity return to the great integrity. Which will occur three days after the end of the world.

Ignorant or not, I really want to hear this advice she's read in an article. I'm sure it is a laugh riot we would all be busting a gut over for those entire three days after the world ends. Wiped out her autism indeed, the punchline is so good you just know there was a great joke that came before it.

In our family, we joke about being "aspie" as in "that response was a little aspie . . . ". It's kind of a somewhat joking way to point out a certain behavior that we all seem to share -- that is different from the NT world -- but at the same time, separates the aspie family members from the less-than-aspie family members. This might be perceived as being derogatory, but trust me, it is not. There are just as many other times when our family members who are less-than-aspie are bummed out that they don't have one of the many positive traits of being on the spectrum that make the aspie family members more focused, more interesting, or even more funny than the rest of the family.

Good point, KingdomOfRats. I felt as if I would get angry, at first, then decided to say what I did. I didn't want to be angry, because she is great with what she does; PT. But awfully clueless to what AS is all about. What I was thinking of saying, (but didn't) was, "What if I came in here and told you that Brunettes have more fun, and then told you about a product to buy that could make you a brunette?" And what if I'd added, "It must be awful to be blond. I just know you want to change to something better!"

I can see both sides of this. As an Aspie I like the fact that I have a unique viewpoint, and an ability to focus intensely on certain things that NT people don't have. I don't want that to be "cured." But there are lots of times when I wish I could do the "social" thing better because I am lonely. And I have an Aspie son that I am worried about, because he has trouble with self-help and hygiene issues and he will have to live and work in a NT world. NT's make the rules in this world, unfortunately.

well autism and asppergers aren't that well understood yet. it's not in the spot light of the world. Consider in parallel homosexuality, which has been a focus for longer, and still isn't understood. admittedly to my knowledge there's nothing biblical condemning autism. But it took a long time for homosexuality to gain any acceptance and it's still not fully there. People still consider something that can be cured.

Heck even the way we talk about aspergers and autism implies that there's something wrong and that needs to be cured. We say I "have" autism or aspergers. Typically when said like that in the english language it implies something that needs to be taken away. When a positive trait we often say I "am" smart, attractive, athletic or whatever other positive trait. Even something that's semi negative like "I am shy" is still received with the impression that it's just a trait, and while better to be something else like outgoing not necessarily something that impairs or cripples you, Like the perception that autism does.

It'll change in time I'm sure, but that's the thing it will take time. And some changes here and there. Autism understanding is still in it's relative infancy,

The only suffering that I experience is being harraassed by the NT society, for being different than they are. IF I wasn't teased and torchered throughout my life for being different in the way I think and do things, and people had accepted me for who I am, then my life would be quite pleasant and I don't think that I would have developed the low self esteem, depression or anxiety that I have now.

i literally just found out that i'm an aspie. when i mentioned that i might be to my sister, she acted like it was the worse possible thing in the world. autism sounded like a curse coming from her mouth. (she's out-of-state, and i sent her an email tonight letting her know the verdict. i'll just have to see how she reacts now.) i look at it more as a relief. i finally know there is a reason that i have trouble acting like an NT; it has something to do with not being an NT.

when i was younger i was mis- or you could say, partially diagnosed. they pinned down all the things i have along with AS but not the real cause. they wanted to put me on a cocktail of medications and i wasn't for it. (not only do i have a mild fear of pills.) i didn't think that the "problems" could be medicated away without taking my personality along with them.

maybe i'll change my mind a few years out, but i can't imagine that i'd ever want to be "cured."

I was watching Reno 911 earlier today and there was a scene (I couldn't find it on youtube) where one of the officers was going to "jump a shark for autism." This meant there was a small aquarium with a tiny shark in it he was going to jump over. As he got ready to jump the other officers were saying things like "f**k autism" "beat the hell out of autism." And then he failed to clear the aquarium and it shattered and he fell on his face. It kind of reminded me of the way the media portrays autism.

No it never stops but it gets easier with time.

Anyway who says you are suffering? Does an introvert need curing to become an extroverted party animal?
Does a bookish person need curing and turned into a Jock?

Does a high IQ person need to be cured so that he can fit in with the morons around him?