Why is there controversy over the Combating Autism Act? What does it involve?!
Question:
Why is there controversy over the Combating Autism Act? What does it involve?
Autism is not a mental illness, but a neuro-biological disorder. But I'm not sure what category would be best for this question. I hope placing it here in the mental health section does not offend anyone. If it does, I'd like to apologize.
Ok, what exactly is the Combating Autism Act, and why are many parents of Autustic children, and many Autistic adults against it? Will this act find ways to prevent children with this syndrome from being born, or will it simply spread awareness about Autism, and provide treatment so that Autistics can function with more ease in society?
Would this also apply to people with Aspergers? Also, what will this mean for adults who have gone undiagnosed for years, only to find out at 20, 30, and older they have an autistic spectrum disorder? Will they be ostracized even more if Autism is eventually gotten rid of in the future? I'm confused and interested in hearing both sides. Thanks.
Answers:
One point I've heard is that some say the goal of the "Combating Autism Act" is to develop genetic screening so it can be discovered in the womb and women then can abort. This not only is offensive to all those against abortion, but it also smacks of eugenics.
There are others who oppose any cure for autism. They insist people with autism don't need a cure; they need acceptance. That sounds good for high-functioning individuals, but when you have a 30 year old in diapers, or a child that beats his head bloody, I can't see how anyone can say such a person doesn't need a cure. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...
As far as the question of whether a child is born with autism or not, 75% of all kids with autism exhibited signs from birth. 25% develop normally for the first year or so, then regress into autism.