If there were a legit cure for autism, would you take it?

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I really highly recommend that book I mentioned. It is a fascinating exploration of how much autism can be a part of our identity, and what it might be like if we had the power to alter that. Personally, I found it helped me accept myself as I am.

I'll add it to my reading list.

For me though... I think it's far less part of my identity than a lot of people here. Some of that probably comes down to my own experiences and history. But it does lead me to feel very isolated.

Wrong. The poll discriminates against people whose thinking is other than "black or white".

That thinking seems black and white.

One always has the option to not participate in the poll and to simply participate in the discussion.

Talk about being overly dramatic about literally nothing. I agree with AJisHere, nobody has to pick either, they can just post a comment, it's really not that hard.

No.

I am extremely isolated for which I believe is a consequence of autism, but there are advantages, too. I would say I am more patient, ethically aware and polite than most people of my age; I don't deride others to amuse my peers (I believe most neuro-typicals do this) and it takes an awful lot to truly upset me.

I wouldn't because at my age, it's been a big part of who I am. I'm more likely at this point to think that a "cure" would include forced sterilization, and while I'm child-free, that was a choice I made, but I think others should be able to have children if that's what they want.

There will never be a cure because autism is not a disease. Also, I have created a life as I am with which I am comfortable and secure; I'm keeping it. It is not we who need a cure. It is the intolerant population who need education. It is a fact that each human being is unique but so many people fear and shun anyone who lets their uniqueness shine through. I try not to upset people but the days of blending in are over.

Why should people who vote yes be the only ones who have to justify their decision?

Those of us who vote no are often more concerned about having a cure for something that isn't a disease imposed on us.

I wouldn't because how do we know how much is affected by autism. Like how would you be different if you weren't autistic. Also how weird would it be to suddenly be completely different. Also if a cure were possible, how would the cure be carried out, like surgery or a pill or a little robot or what.

Because it's a heterodox opinion around here.

Personally I think the question is akin to mental masturbation, but I answered it anyway and did so honestly. I'm more interested in how people think about the issue than the issue itself, given that a "cure" is probably not possible. It's a shame the discussion usually doesn't offer much support for talking about that.

No cure for me if there was one. I enjoy having autism. I love the special intense interests it has caused me to be obsessed with.

Probably not. From what I've read and analyzed, a cure doesn't seem likely, at least till we understand the brain better. It would be tempting though, to not have to keep up a constant presence of mind, just to fit in and not disturb friends, family, coworkers, classmates, strangers, etc. or deal with anxiety filled situations or outbursts due to sensory issues. Even in taking medicines, I felt it reduced my drive to follow through and complete on pretty much anything by a moderate amount, though it did make it easier to handle some social problems.

So... No middle option then?

There are definitely some negative aspects of my Autism I would like to shed, but these seem trivial when compared to the positives. As much as I am hampered by it, Autism is my livelihood, almost all my savant tiered skills are either derived directly from it, or are indirectly influenced by it.

I know for me problems related to my autism are more then positives related to it. I also know most of the problems are related to bieng different in the area the Neurotypical majority world cares about most Social communication and presentation. I know some of the my problems are directly related to autism specifically in the Executive Function area.

While l suspect my autism specifically has at least as many positives as negatives I am not sure at all. I would need to live in a in a world that truly accepts autism to find that out.