Lately I am seeing talk online saying that autism is not a disease, and that cures should not be sought. The argument that people are making is that autistic people are simply people whose minds work differently from average people, and that trying to “cure” autism is trying to erase those differences. Some autistic people are saying that groups that seek cures for autism, such as Autism Speaks, are hate groups.

I’m not sure how I feel about this so I’m trying to learn more. I’m wondering why this argument is being make about autism and not about other mental differences, such as bipolar disorder. Why does the argument apply to autism but not bipolar disorder? Should we stop seeking to cure bipolar too because we wouldn’t want to erase people whose minds work that way? Or is the argument that autism doesn’t cause suffering in its patients the way something like bipolar does?

Please help me understand. Thank you!

Topics: health, disorder, mental health, autism, society, discrimination