What would you do?

Dawn- I can't help but wonder if this is in response to the thread I started about the article on the gene discovery for ASD. I really don't think any sort of new knowledge regarding how ASD works, where the gene is, etc will change you the person who has ASD no matter what they do. As I mentioned in my response to you on the thread on the gene discovery, it is a great discovery if we can help those with ASD lead more productive lives. You live a very productive life, and normal. You're no different after your diagnosis then you were before it. So, most people probably wouldn't be different. Though, perhaps giving those who are non verbal with ASD is better then giving them nothing at all. To have a chance to voice what they are thinking, what they feel is a good progression. I do think though we are years from seeing that, perhaps not even in my own life time, though as a special education teacher I'm always hopeful that we can help our students communicate with those around them. Even when I've helped a student, I don't feel they have changed as a person. Even if they read better, etc it doesn't mean their personality or spirit has changed. Namaste-Anora

Who are we to say whats normal or not? My son is Autistic & I wouldn't take the cure if it would change the person he is. It would be like losing my son. I love the way my son is & I can't imagine him being any different. Yes at times I wonder what it be like, but then I realize my life would be so dull without my wild little man being the person he is today. I am curious to know what others will say... even more so what parents of Autistic children will say...

That is a very thought provoking question. I am a primary school teacher and I have taught a boy with autism. If he could change for the better than would be incredibly positive. If he got rid of his autism he might be a happier child. He was upset by change like things happening at times they shouldn't be like practicing a play instead of doing history. Loud noises really distressed him like a band playing and even worse a fire alarm. Asperger's isn't as severe as autism and many people that have that get on well in life. They have their special topic and some of are like professors. I have taught a boy with Asperer's and I don't think he would be as lovely if he was changed. My toddler son has spina bifida and it is just part of his identity. I can manage and he seems happy.

A great story about this question is Flowers for algernon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowers_for_Algernon I wouldn't have it done on either of my kids... they might choose to as adults but I like them as they are. Of course the thought is if the lost a limb would younot replace it because you like them as is? But no... they do just fine as they are.

My son has classic autism. Even if they told me there was a cure but it could kill him, I would say no way. Autism won't kill him so I don't want to take a chance of hurting him. If the surgery wouldn't hurt him but it would change him, I am still not sure I would agree to it. He is who he is. There is a chance he will improve as the years go by. If they rewire him, he won't be who he is, he may not remember anything before so what type of life would that be. He has a wonderful life. All you have to do is look at his sweet little face. I haven't gotten into the years where speech frustrates him, so I may change my mind as time goes by if he has struggles that can fixed with surgery. I don't think he should have a surgery just so he can be what other people think of as "normal". How fair would it be to take everything away from someone to give them something else because society looks at it as normal? Should we strip gays of their "gayness" so they are normal? Should we make the world speak English? Should we bleach everyone's skin so it is one color? Should everyone have the same hairstyle? My point is there is individuals in every way imaginable. I am thankful I won't have to make this decision for my son. He makes known what he wants and his world is a curious and happy place. I'll let him stay there as long as he can.

I think I would. I would do it so that I could live life and see if as others see it. Just like cancer, if you have it do you wish every day there is a cure, I would think yes. Even better if there is a cure that will not cause you pain while it trys to cure you. I would want to spend as much time with family as possible, so yes ... I would want to be cured.

Here's another what if for you. What if the cure could fix your brain and make you "normal", but it kills you in a year or 2. Would you do it anyway? Personally speaking, no I wouldn't. Nor could I do it to my eldest child who is autistic. If these "cures" make it so that he isn't the same person or would somehow screw him up worse then no I couldn't do it. I refuse to "cure" my child. Who knows what kind of effects there are, short and long term? And I sure as hell would never forgive myself if it turned out that the cure ended up being on the list of recalled medications because it hadn't been studied long enough and it killed a few children along the way.

I wonder how one can answer this question. It seems to me that unless you are faced with the situation there is no way you would know how you would react. i just can't answer, sorry. Blessings

my children have autism. I have a son with PDD and a daughter with classic autism. I personally am not looking for a "cure". I believe our ASD children can teach us so much about acceptance and love and seeing the world in a whole new way. I love their little quirks and obsessions and things that make them, THEM. I would def. welcome something that would help my daughter "recover" from the things that will be roadblocks. To me, Autism is a large part of who they are and I love them just the way they are! I agree with Temple Grandin, that if we "cure" autism, the world would actually suffer because there would no longer be social misfits with brilliant minds inventing all of the wonderful things like the internet etc.

This is critical question. But I'll choose not to get treated. Because I love being myself. I don't wanna be different. Moreover, I can't loose my friends, family and relations just for my life. They value more than my life!

Thats a great problem to solve and carry. I will ask the doctor if the cure will be almost 90% but if not I will not let the baby rewired fropm operation. Might be can damage his brain cells and something. I will think it over and over whats the best for my child. I better have the child with long life than to make the operation cuts or shortens his life. Its a deep problem.

If I had one of those conditions and had the opportunity to get surgery, I would get the surgery. Even if the surgery meant I wouldn't be the same. Id rather be a little different then have to live my whole life with a sickness which would put a burden on my family. Now if it was an issue with my child I would try to speak with him or her and explain the situation. Finally I will take what the docs have told me and my family to make the best decision. I would want the best life for my child and if that meant getting surgery i would do it. -John

If I suffered from any of those conditions I'd want help. I don't think it would be feasable to think you'd lose who yu really are by doing it. I'd go for it. It would be a much harder decision in a child's case though. Mostly because they really haven't defined themselves yet. My cousin has two autistic children and with the right help they are doing really good. They just seem a little anti social, but overall they're happy loving children.