Autism Treatment Shifts Away from ‘Fixing’ the Condition

“We have moved away from thinking of autism as a condition that needs to be eliminated or fixed to thinking about autism as part of the neurodiversity that exists across humankind,” says Geraldine Dawson, director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development in Durham, N.C. “The question then becomes, How do we best support people who are autistic, and how would you measure improvement if you are conducting clinical trials?” Dawson, along with two colleagues, wrote about this shift in a recent article in JAMA Pediatrics. It reflects a widespread reevaluation of the goals of therapy and metrics for success, driven in part by the self-advocating voices of people on the spectrum. They have fostered a greater appreciation for what society gains from having different kinds of brains contribute to our world, as well as a greater awareness of the negative impacts of insisting that people with autism behave in ways that are unnatural for them.

The old goal of losing the autism diagnosis is not a priority for many people on the spectrum, Dawson says, and “when we follow people to see if losing the diagnosis is associated with a better quality of life, it just is not.” Today an optimal outcome will depend on the abilities and desires of the individual and the person’s family and will not necessarily emphasize conforming to typical behavior. Often the priority is having a meaningful job and relationships: “being as independent, joyful and productive as possible.” Just like for any human being.”

Read the whole article at Scientific American

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💬 What is one fact about autism that you wish more people knew? What do you think about this shift in the treatment goal?