The Attack On Autism

How science is attempting to eliminate the autistic neurotype

Go to the information engine of Google and search “Autism News.” A plethora of information will flow across the page, some of which is concerning. A common theme in autism news is genetic research to treat and prevent autism spectrum disorder.

Advocates in the neurodiversity movement and autism acceptance movement are horrified at the continued efforts to eliminate the autistic neurotype. Two articles of note are…

The hunt for disrupted brain signals behind autism – Studies in mice suggest circuitry role for missing gene by Ohio State University and published in Science Daily. November 2022

The Neurochemistry of Autism by Rosa Marotta, Maria C. Risoleo,and Michele Roccella March 2020

Always the brain

The article by Ohio State University is focused on prevention of autism. Vocabulary throughout the article includes words like “eliminate” “impairment” and “mutation.” All of these words describe people that are autistic.

The real life experience of autistic individuals is discounted to scientific rhetoric, numbers and experiments to prevent a neurotype.

The Neurochemistry of Autism continues the trend of analyzing autism using pathology instead of humanity.

“The prevalence of autism has significantly increased during the last two decades from two to five per 10,000 children to 1:59 children (one in 37 boys and one in 151 girls), and the prevalence in males is four times greater than females [2].” — The Neurochemistry of Autism, 2020

Advocates would argue that the prevalence of autism has not increased. Instead, the awareness of autism has increased. The increase in autism leads to more diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

Delicate Line of Morality

Changing genes and neurotransmitters to create a neurotypical child is morally questionable.

Autism is not a deficit. It is a difference that society does not always embrace. Yes, there are comorbid medical conditions with autism. However, every single medical diagnosis may have comorbid disorder, not just autism.

The word eugenics is avoided. Nevertheless, if science begins to eliminate the autistic genes – eugenics has already started.

Autistic Not ASD

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the medical diagnosis not the definition of being autistic. Autistic life is unique and should not be prevented or eliminated.

The only barrier to autistic individuals thriving and contributing to society is – society’s desire to remove the autistic neurotype.

Tas is an autistic, queer, disabled, person of color. They are published authors and a writer.