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A Controversial Autism Treatment Is About to Become a Big Business

vice.com

21–30 of 65 posts

Re: A Controversial Autism Treatment Is About to Become a Big Business

#21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What a load of nonsense, autism is a horrible thing that should be entirely eliminated if possible. An autist probably will never be a salesman, for instance, we should make that not the case if we can because otherwise those opportunitues will stay off limits because of some peoples birth. Then there are the more severe cases where people cant speak and care for themselves. Thats not a society issue, thats a birth d…

> An autist probably will never be a salesman, for instance Good? We'd probably be better off with fewer salesmen in the world.

So what, deprive these kids of the possibility of choosing something? Why not give them the choice?

Let them become adults, and if they want to later inflict neurological damage upon themselves, then fine. But don't neglect them treatment.

Re: A Controversial Autism Treatment Is About to Become a Big Business

#23
post #12

Horrific. Autism is about neural difference not deficiency . The problem is neurotypical societies pathologising and disabling neurodivergent people. What this article discusses is analogous to treatment for homosexuality. Shame on you, Duke university.

What a load of nonsense, autism is a horrible thing that should be entirely eliminated if possible. An autist probably will never be a salesman, for instance, we should make that not the case if we can because otherwise those opportunitues will stay off limits because of some peoples birth. Then there are the more severe cases where people cant speak and care for themselves. Thats not a society issue, thats a birth d…

As an autist who's done sales (yes, I hate it, wouldn't ever choose that career), this is bullshit. I have adhd(inattentive, formerly ADD) and am high level on the ASD specrtum.

Sure, my life gets fucked up a lot by my brain over analyzing things, or hyper focusing or just not focusing on anything at all, and I miss a lot of queues from loved ones, associates, etc.. but I also have movments of genius that everyone else seems to lack, I have passions in things and see stuff others miss.

When I'm on my ADHD meds, I mostly function okay, my executive function even works a large portion of the time. Could I be more successful? Certainly, but do I feel like I'm missing out on opportunities because of it? Nah, not at all. I also didn't know I had ADHD or Autism till i was 38, I just basically learned to cope in life as a normie, but learning has given me just some extra tools to become a bit better at coping through the hard stuff in life.

Re: A Controversial Autism Treatment Is About to Become a Big Business

#24
post #12

Horrific. Autism is about neural difference not deficiency . The problem is neurotypical societies pathologising and disabling neurodivergent people. What this article discusses is analogous to treatment for homosexuality. Shame on you, Duke university.

agreed. I was taken aback that the first issue in the article being discussed is efficacy rather than ethics concerning the rights of the autistic child in question. Autism is not merely a disease and the question whether these treatments infringe on the identity of a person should be paramount before anyone is subjected to them.

Re: A Controversial Autism Treatment Is About to Become a Big Business

#25
post #5
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Like with ADHD, the benefit of a diagnosis is usually more 1-on-1 time with a teacher, which leads to better scholastic outcomes regardless of if the underlying issue is truly present.

> Like with ADHD, the benefit of a diagnosis is usually more 1-on-1 time with a teacher, which leads to better scholastic outcomes regardless of if the underlying issue is truly present. My observation has been that usually diagnosis results in dependence on amphetamines.

That's what my parents tried to avoid for the first 15 years of my life. Finally, in my junior year of HS, they relented. My live improved 1000% overnight.

There's a reason why they're used. Because they're effective for the vast majority of people.

Re: A Controversial Autism Treatment Is About to Become a Big Business

#26

vice.com is not a reputable source of medical advice. There's a lot that is still not understood about autism. We don't need to get our pitchforks out while the science tries to figure this stuff out.

Dunno why you would think that. Want to provide an example?

Re: A Controversial Autism Treatment Is About to Become a Big Business

#27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What a load of nonsense, autism is a horrible thing that should be entirely eliminated if possible. An autist probably will never be a salesman, for instance, we should make that not the case if we can because otherwise those opportunitues will stay off limits because of some peoples birth. Then there are the more severe cases where people cant speak and care for themselves. Thats not a society issue, thats a birth d…

As an autist who's done sales (yes, I hate it, wouldn't ever choose that career), this is bullshit. I have adhd(inattentive, formerly ADD) and am high level on the ASD specrtum. Sure, my life gets fucked up a lot by my brain over analyzing things, or hyper focusing or just not focusing on anything at all, and I miss a lot of queues from loved ones, associates, etc.. but I also have movments of genius that everyone el…

Ok Im glad you were able to do that and that you can still have a good life. If we could fix it though, more opportunities would be available, maybe you'd have enjoyed it and could have it as a career you liked. There are also a lot of other people not so high functioning that literally just couldnt, and others who can't even live on their own as adults. Maybe you dont need a treatment like this but there are people where it would change their lives.

Re: A Controversial Autism Treatment Is About to Become a Big Business

#28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What a load of nonsense, autism is a horrible thing that should be entirely eliminated if possible. An autist probably will never be a salesman, for instance, we should make that not the case if we can because otherwise those opportunitues will stay off limits because of some peoples birth. Then there are the more severe cases where people cant speak and care for themselves. Thats not a society issue, thats a birth d…

> An autist probably will never be a salesman, for instance Good? We'd probably be better off with fewer salesmen in the world.

I picked it as a single role that requires lots of customer interaction and social cues, it could be lots of stuff, customer service or others. That was just 1 example.

Re: A Controversial Autism Treatment Is About to Become a Big Business

#29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> An autist probably will never be a salesman, for instance Good? We'd probably be better off with fewer salesmen in the world.

So what, deprive these kids of the possibility of choosing something? Why not give them the choice? Let them become adults, and if they want to later inflict neurological damage upon themselves, then fine. But don't neglect them treatment.

Autistic people also often have capabilities that neurotypical people don't. So treating them would also be denying them opportunities. I think any treatment would have to be taken on a case by case basis. This particular one sounds like it doesn't work anyway.

Re: A Controversial Autism Treatment Is About to Become a Big Business

#30
post #12

Horrific. Autism is about neural difference not deficiency . The problem is neurotypical societies pathologising and disabling neurodivergent people. What this article discusses is analogous to treatment for homosexuality. Shame on you, Duke university.

What a load of nonsense, autism is a horrible thing that should be entirely eliminated if possible. An autist probably will never be a salesman, for instance, we should make that not the case if we can because otherwise those opportunitues will stay off limits because of some peoples birth. Then there are the more severe cases where people cant speak and care for themselves. Thats not a society issue, thats a birth d…

The most successful salesperson in the world Mark Zuckerberg has some form of mild autism, in my opinion (which is shared by some Facebook employees and on autism forums).

He sold the world and the investment community that he's selling communication while he's really selling digital crack cocaine.

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