Rick Santorum, Wants Autism Cured?

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Santorum's daughter has a rare genetic condition, and she has been through a lot. He sees her suffering, and because Autism is very well known and much more common than his daughters condition, he probably wants to see research into cures for it. I'm sure he's thinking about the very low functioning children when he talks about this. I don't think he has any malice towards those on the spectrum. I'm sure he would like to see Down's syndrome cured as well, or at least something done to extend their lives.

I think when people talk about curing autism, they are thinking of the very low functioning autistics. What parent wouldn't want a cure for their child if their child couldn't communicate with them, etc. Parents want what they consider a "normal life" for their children. Wanting autism cured isn't the same as wanting us all aborted or institutionalized. Wanting a cure is no different than wanting a cure for CP or blindness or deafness or paralysis. Those things do not kill you but they do effect quality of life. When I mention a cure for autism, I am talking about the lower functioning people. Those who because of the very effects of their autism cannot communicate to anyone if they would or would not want a cure.

People talk about all these horrendous things that a cure would involve, but my question is, why would they involve that? We know they don't work. Years ago they thought it might, but now we know it doesn't. Lobotomies were common a long time ago. ECT was common a long time ago. Those things aren't done routinely now. Why would you think that curing autism (for the very low functioning people) would involve something horrible? Nobody protests and screams that people who have an open fracture in their leg or severe infection in it shouldn't go to the doctor because they will just cut it off, do they? No. Because they don't do that anymore. They have other ways now.

I say, about a cure, don't be too quick to judge. Find out who they want to cure. If they mean everyone on the spectrum. What a cure would involve. If they will make it mandatory to be cured if you have it. AFAIK it's not mandatory to be cured of anything in the US. You can refuse treatment for anything if you are mentally able to. Yes, that would disqualify most of the lower functioning and all of the very low functioning autistics, but how do we know that they wouldn't want a cure? You may not, because you can type at a computer. You can communicate your needs and wants. They can't. All I wanted when I was a kid was just to be like the other kids. I didn't know why I couldn't do what they did. If there was something that would have done the job, I would have taken it in a heartbeat. Now I wouldn't, because I'm used to this and learned to handle it. Do I wish there was a cure then and I got it? Yes. The only thing that would make me not wish I had that was that it might have led me down a different path in life, not met my husband, so therefore not had the kids that I have today. Other than maybe not having the kids that I have, I would have no problem with it.

Would I be offended if it was offered to me now? Not at all. I'd probably strongly consider it. Not having AS would make things a lot less stressful for me. I'd want to know what all was involved and how it would change my thinking process, likes and dislikes, logic, etc.

As for Santorum, I think he sees wanting autism cured as an extension of his wanting something done for his own child. She has serious problems, and I don't think he's trying to cure those of us who are just really really kinda quirky.

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I haven't really kept up with politics this year. Not only was my cable gone for a while so I couldn't watch it on tv, but there's nobody who just jumps out at me to watch. I don't like reading the news online or watching it online for some reason.

As for special ed, it's not just autistics who receive it. Granted, I haven't heard him and know only that he has a daughter with a genetic disorder and he's republican and my mother likes him. My mother liking him is reason enough for me not to like him. I can't imagine any parent wanting schools to not offer everything they can for kids. That's why I sound like I'm defending him. I want to think that what is said was either assumed (like I'm assuming, I admit) or taken out of context. I want to think this because he is a parent. I cannot imagine a parent not wanting the best for every child out there. I know there is a middle ground, but in my mind there are either good, caring parents, or parents who are abusive or neglectful. There is a middle of the road and logically I know it, but emotionally I don't.

I also know that a lot of people here are offended by the idea of a cure. I think that if there were a cure and it was mandatory or that services were abolished so that those who didn't want the cure would have no help, I would feel differently about it. Many people choose not to be treated for certain diseases but hospitals and hospices still care for them when they need it. (that example was for physical illness, such as those who choose not to treat cancer - no I am not comparing AS/ASD to cancer, simply the personal choice of whether or not to treat something is the comparison) I know that if I had a lower functioning child, I would be pushing for everything possible to find a cure, and meanwhile make sure there were plenty of good, available services for my child. I would probably be doing the same thing for AS as well. I doubt there will ever be a "cure" but they may find drugs that help with processing and communication. Also sensitivities, both physical and emotional. I'd certainly love a drug like that for myself. I know that I react differently to many things, and I'd love to be able to deal with things like most NT's do. I would want that for my child as well.

My 16yo son has ADHD. He's on meds for that. They help. If there were no meds for it, I would be pushing for them to find a way to treat it.

I guess I'm saying that curing doesnt do away with a person. There can never be a shot to cure AS/ASD like antibiotics do an ear infection. There could be drugs that help with the symptoms of it, and that's what I think this mytical, futuristic "cure" would be. If a child who is lower functioning were given those drugs as a child, by the parent, and the drugs helped him communicate and process better and helped with sensitivities, etc, then that child's rights weren't violated anymore than a child being vien Adderall by the parent right's are violated. The ASD child could choose to stop the medication when he was of age to make his own medical decisions, just as an ADHD child can do. I suppose I'm feeling that people think Santorum wants some sort of "NT shot" to give AS/ASD kids and if the parents refuse it or it doesn't work, then lock us all up. I can't really imagine anybody wants that. And NT shot, I could see some people wanting, even people on the spectrum. But I can't see any American ever wanting some kind of mandatory medical treatment.

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I'm giving it another shot. We will see.
My forum is still there and everyone is welcome to come join as well. There is a private women only subforum there if anyone is interested. Also, there is no CAPTCHA.

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Ron Jeremy executed for witchcraft.

Film at 11

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I'm giving it another shot. We will see.
My forum is still there and everyone is welcome to come join as well. There is a private women only subforum there if anyone is interested. Also, there is no CAPTCHA.

The link to the forum is http://www.rightplanet.proboards.com

I think a lot of this is being overblown. I'd worry more about Ron Paul and Barack Obama's views on autisim than I would Santorum. Obama almost had a massive coronary when he found out that an autistic air force officer commanded part of the tarmac force at the base he was visiting when I was serving there. Obama went so far as to demand court-martials.

-Longshanks

For military reasons I can't reveal it. I just thank God he didn't find out about my AS. I commanded the other half.

-Longshanks

You are gracious, my friend.