"Should we find a cure for Autism?"
The truth is, a year ago I would have answered that question fast, strong and with confidence. But today? Today I'm not so sure. The truth is, there are huge pros with equally huge cons to both sides. Is there really a right answer? Can there be a right answer? The answer is far more complected then a simple "yes" or "no"?
On the one hand, Autism brings some pretty amazing things to the table. Among other positives, Autism allows one to think outside of the box, often forgetting there is a box, and people with Autism do so with a beautifully unapologetic way. For example, when Piece was being evaluated for Autism, they were testing if he understood different parts of speech. They wanted him to finish the sentence, "If someone is a really good swimmer, you might say he swims like a..." Of course many of us would answer quickly, "fish! They swim like a fish!" but Piece answered with just as much confidence, "Submarine!" and I love it! I love his ability to interpret the world in such a unique way!
That's how Piece operates. He embraces the way he sees the world and he lives accordingly. As he should be encouraged to do and, I'm not even going to lie, I love getting to witness it! So, a year ago, I would have told you very honestly that I wouldn't want to cure Autism because without Autism, Piece wouldn't be Piece. The little tentacles of Autism that have wiggled their way into the many aspects of his life would change those aspects, and, in effect, change who he is. Without Autism, Piece, and the rest of us, wouldn't have those experiences that have formed us into who we are, colored our way of thinking and taught us so much.
So, with so much at steak, and no big threat of death directly caused by Autism (such as with cancer, AIDS or even Diabetes) should we be focusing on finding a cure for Autism? Or are we asking for a cure because effects us and we hate to see our loved ones and/or ourselves struggle?
At least that's what I would have said a year ago. It's not that I don't believe that now or that I am even doubting it. I still do believe that. I actually believe that pretty strongly. But there's an answer to that final question; another side of Autism that I don't think I was really thinking about.
There are people out there who have it worse. There are a number of families who love and adore someone who is smart, loving and funny and also just happens to be Autistic, non verbal and unable to function at the level often expected from someone of their chronological age. There are people out there who are stuck, trapped a world with more struggles and challenges then I can even imagine. There are parents who have never heard their ten year old say their name or "I love you". There are parents who pray every night that their child will wake up the next morning and be able to share with them what hurts, what is wrong and why they are crying.
There are people who have so much to give and so much potential but are held back by the struggles and challenges of Autism and are focusing so much on over coming those that they don't have the strength to reach their potentials just yet and may not for years.
Yes. There are some amazing therapies and therapists out there. I believe that, when you find the right one, lives can and are changed by these people and what they do. Sometimes, though, Autism rear's it's head and proves just how strong it is, how determined it is and digs it's heals in. And I can't help but thinking, what about them?
What if there was a way to take those aspects that have become Mt. Everest sized obstetrical and turn them into a mole hill? What if we could help these amazing people reach share themselves with us, what if we could help them find their voice, over come those challenges that Autism lays out for us and allow them to function closer to their chronological age? What would this do for them? What would this do for their families? Should we not be fighting to help them in any way we can? Would a cure be a means of doing so?
Who am I to say, not being the parent of a child with severe Autism. I don't know their struggles. I don't know their challenges. I can't speak for them.
So, after all of this internal debate, I have landed on an answer. There is no answer. What is right for one family with Autism, is not necessarily what is right for another. In a perfect world, I would say what we should be finding is a means of relieving the symptoms (or at least lessen symptoms) that create the biggest struggles while leaving the awesome traits that Autism also gives. However, this is not a perfect world so, maybe, one day, they will find a "cure" and then I think it should be a choice, one that does not result in judgment from the medical institution, from those in and out of the Autism community (I know. Judgment is impossible to hide from)but a choice. Should we make it our number one priority, no but should it be on the "to-do" list? Maybe.
Find out what Piece thinks about this topic by clicking here!
And see what Princess thinks about it here!
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