Phagocyte wrote:
This is silly. The problem with diagnosing ASD's is that it has to be derived from behavior. Down's syndrome is easily recognizable due to the presence of a third 21st chromosome (Trisomy 21), ASD's cannot be detected in this same manner. It's only recognized in infancy or childhood (often times even later) from observing behavior, not genetic recognition. Also, on the mild end of the spectrum, the diagnosis is often blurry as it is, psychologists still debate whether someone is truly "mildly Aspergian" or simply an introverted intellectual with intense interests; many of the people here aren't even sure if they have it or not. Also, people with ASD's aren't on drugs because they're autistic, it's because of comorbidities like depression or anxiety.
not all is true comorbid-some drugs help with sensory and speech impairment,others help with meltdowns.
the whole cure/removal of autism debate is focussed more on lower functioning auties with complex needs and challenging behavior,where limited funding is involved,cannot see them spending it on removing the more independant less affected auties and aspies-it'll be the lf kanner types whom need more support [and money] than most.
if some people had their way,they would get rid of anything that makes a brain different from NT, because they want everything to be 'perfect',when really,the word cannot exist within people because no one is perfect,therefor difference should be tolerated.