What would a cure for autism be if one existed?

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Surgery? Gene therapy? Pills?

Invasion of the Body Snatchers, maybe?

Seriously, I wouldn't even know where to start, even with futuristic technology. Certainly not pills, because it's more than biochemistry that makes someone autistic.

My best bet would be prevention by gene therapy of fetuses.

Prenatal testing and abortion. That's the only "cure" that would realistically be practiced.

Prenatal gene therapy, usable within the first trimester, is a theoretical possibility, but once you had a prenatal test that detected autism, funding for research would drop and the money to develop gene therapy just wouldn't be there.

As for adult autism... well, the only way to cure that would be to re-write the brain, erase everything you ever were, everything you ever knew, ever learned, ever experienced, and start from pseudo-infancy. It would be, in every sense that matters, a complex form of assisted suicide. And it would require technology that is so advanced and would change our world so drastically that it is unlikely even our grandchildren will live to see it--nor would we recognize that world if we could somehow travel there.

What we are likely to see in our lifetimes, relevant to autistics past infancy, is better treatment, better education, more research on medication and accommodation. The more we push for useful research, the more of that we'll get. We may discover medications that dull sensory input; we may find better ways to treat comorbids like anxiety, depression, and ADHD. We'll find better ways to teach autistic children and we'll find places for autistic adults in the workforce. We'll use technology to allow greater independence, easier communication, and better education. It will not be glamorous or miraculous and it won't be called a cure, but it will make our lives easier.

A cure won't change you. It will cure your problems like social skills.

I'm eagerly watching for research on nutrition and Autism. It is interesting that some of the nutrients recently mentioned have long been among my favorite supplements.

I suspect that the long-term fix will be a combination of:
* improved understanding and awareness -- my worst problems come from others' lack of understanding. Once people get to know me, they usually like me.
* better understanding of the chemical interactions involved with Autism mechanisms, including identifying nutrition that helps us be our best. This may also include medications, but I would see them as a last resort.
* better understanding of how social skill learning occurs and how to identify shortcomings and ways to cognitively remediate.

Based on recent evidence related to Folic acid, making certain that women of child-bearing age get enough of this vitamin would be an easy way to prevent or reduce many problems. Future research may identify other nutrients that are similarly needed. Genetic research could lead to better understanding of the mechanisms involved and how to mitigate the effects.

_________________
If it don't come easy . . . .
. . . .hack it until it works right

Aspie score: 142/200 NT score: 64/200
AQ Score: 42
BAP: 109 aloof, 94 rigid and 85 pragmatic

Autism is not all genetic.

Well...they could erase your brain, and then install a whole new operating system.

Like getting ride of widows, or of a Mac OS, and replacing it with it Debian!

But actually that wouldnt work, because autism is a hardware problem, and not a software problem.

Neurosis is a software problem. Psychotherapy, or going to the Landmark Forum, or the like, is modifying the software.

So it have to be some powerful drug of somekind that would somehow physically rewire your brain into something more neurotypical.

Autism is not a personally trait it is a disorder. Why do you guys limited yourself when you say "places in the workforce". You guys should want more things for yourself.

I have a life, i am going to school and looking for job.