Have you noticed just how many scientifically unproven "cures" for autism there are on the internet?
Generally I'm sceptical, very sceptical. There are hundreds of Individuals and companies online that are more than happy to take money from desperate parents with autistic children. YouTube for example, is awash with anecdotes of how a child was cured of autism within two days of drinking a certain type of juice, cutting out a type of food or even avoiding areas where there is a strong WiFi signal.
So does any of this stuff really work?
The idea of an "alternative treatment" for autism falls into the same catagory that also includes the false assumption that "vaccines cause autism." This is not a theory I subscribe to. Although, I suppose it's. not impossible that along with most medications, some people could suffer side effects from a vaccine, just my totally non-scientific opinion-but autism? There is no mainstream scientific evidence to support this.
The problem with the internet is that you can find "well researched, bogus" evidence for just about anything.. Seriously! if Big Pharma thought they could profit from any of the dozens of "cures" for autism to be found on YouTube, they would!
If, as autistic people, we thought that by taking a pill, we could be "cured" of autism, would we take it? Many of us would not. We are quite happy with how we are able to think differently about life. I deplore the people that mislead us with false information about autism, and those that attempt to profit financially by selling unproven "miracle" products to desperate parents of autistic children.
Having said this, even with my knowledge of autism, If I had a severely autistic child, I would also be vulnerable to false claims of an "autism cure"
Actually, there is a treatment for autism...
...but it's not a pill or a potion. It's by providing autistic people with more opportunities to find purpose in life: Support to find work and form relationships. To gain independence and boost confidence.. Greater public awareness of autism would create a more inclusive-less stigmatised autism friendly environment.
In many ways, the treatment I've described above, is not that much different to the one I could prescribe to anyone for a happy and successful life.
This proves my point that as autistic people we do not need a pill to cure us of our autism. We just need to be recognised and accepted for the unique individuals we truly are.
So, have you tried any of the "miracle treatments," and even "cures" for autism found on the internet? If any of them worked for you, tell us about it.
Please leave your thoughts and comments below.
Thanks for Reading-Steve adultswithautism.org.uk
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