Can Autism Be Cured?
If you or a loved one has autism, you've probably heard someone ask if there's a "cure." Let me be clear, autism is NOT a disease, and it doesn’t need a cure.
Sadly, there are people out there who want to "cure" their own or their loved ones' autism. If this sounds like you, I want you to know it makes me sad—not because I don’t understand the struggles, but because this mindset often comes from fear. Maybe autism is showing up in a way you didn’t expect, like being nonverbal or not fitting into what society sees as “normal.” But that doesn’t mean it needs to be fixed.
Often, people who talk about curing autism are afraid of the unknown. They might not believe that life with autism can be successful or fulfilling. But it can—it just might look different for each person. And that’s okay. Your thoughts on autism can and will change over time. Acceptance isn’t always instant, it’s a process. And you’re allowed to grow into it.
It's also normal to feel frustrated. I’ve had people tell me how tired they are of having autism. I get it. Sometimes, I wish I had more control over the things I say or do, but that's one of the harder parts of being autistic. Still, autism itself isn’t something that needs to be “fixed.” You can’t cure anxiety or depression, but you can learn to manage them. It’s the same with autism.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition. That means it affects how your brain develops and how you interact with the world, but it isn’t going anywhere. And that’s not a bad thing.
Think of any superhero. Their powers make them who they are, right? But they also have weaknesses. People with autism are the same. For me, my superpowers are being really good at music, writing, and having hyper-empathy. When I was younger, I was hyper-verbal and hyperlexic. Those are my strengths. But I also struggle with things like knowing what’s appropriate to say or being too hyper and energetic at the wrong time.
If you’re autistic, I encourage you to think about your strengths and challenges. What are your powers? What are your weaknesses? Write them down. For me, understanding what I’m good at and how I can use that to support the things I struggle with helps me feel more productive and empowered.
