I want to start this by saying I’m not an expert on autism, and I’m not autistic and my experience with autism is superficial, so these are just my thoughts on the topic.
I don’t see autism as a disease. As has been said, there is a spectrum and people at one end may function perfectly well in society, while people at the other end do not. Those in the middle manage to a lesser or greater degree. Those whose place on the spectrum mean they find it difficult to participate in society and within relationships may very well need help to survive and thrive in society. Their families and friends may need assistance and guidance to help their friend/family member to navigate relationships and societal expectations. Other people, while still registering on the autistic spectrum, may function perfectly well and may need little or no help.
I agree that some of the conditions we now consider mental ‘illnesses’ may in the future be considered as just personality or processing differences. I don’t know enough about bipolar to say whether it would fall into this category. Is it caused by a chemical imbalance? By some physiological deformity? Is it an anomaly in the way the brain’s wiring works? Or is it that we expect people to behave and react in certain ways and anyone who falls outside of that range has something ‘wrong’ with them? What is causing the difference may be the thing that defines whether the outcome is a problem or just a difference.
I have a doctor who is without doubt autistice. I feel very sure he would register as ‘autistic’. However, he is a specialist. He is an expert in his field. So his autism may well have helped him to become an expert because he is so focused on this specific area of study. On the flipside, it makes it harder for him to communicate with his patients. He’s hard to interact with. As a scientist, brilliant. As an empathic human, not so great. In his role, people excuse one because of the benefits of the other.
My daughter is also almost certainly on the spectrum – but very minimally so. She works in retail and has to interact with people all day every day. However, I see traits in her behaviour that make it very obvious she is on the spectrum.
Obviously, there are other people who are affected much more severely and are unable to participate in society or to easily participate in relationships. Can we and should we cure these people? I don’t like the word cure, but I feel certain we should keep researching and try to find medications or strategies that help these people and their families to manage better.
Human beings think we know so much, yet we are so ignorant about so much. We have a lot to learn about what is ‘normal’ human behaviour and about how our own bodies and our brains work.