Can Autism Be Cured? Why Acceptance Matters More

Autism is a natural variation in human neurodevelopment. Those on the autism spectrum often have unique ways of thinking, learning and interacting with the world. Autistic peoples’ brains are essentially wired differently––and many people want to find the cause of these differences and remove them. In fact, most money going toward autism research is going toward researching the treatment and prevention of autism. 

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However, studying the causes of autism with the intention of curing it is a controversial topic. Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that cannot––and many argue, should not––be “cured.”

Saying someone is autistic is like saying they are a redhead or short; it’s a natural form of diversity that shapes their experiences and identity—not something that needs to be cured. However, finding an autism cure has been an ongoing and controversial debate.

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Some people view autism as a tragic disorder that’s responsible for impairing someone’s ability to communicate, socialize and navigate daily life. From this perspective, they may seek a behavioral intervention that promises to reduce autism “symptoms” and improve social skills or behavior. This approach can be rooted in the belief that autism is something to be “fixed” rather than understood and accommodated.

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Historically, the medical field has focused on treating or even curing autism. This has led to tensions between professionals and the autistic community. Many psychologists, occupational therapists and doctors are trained to approach autistic traits as “autistic symptoms” requiring intervention. 

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However, suppressing autistic traits to appear less autistic is associated with negative mental health outcomes, including suicidality. There’s growing recognition that support should not aim to make autistic individuals appear less autistic by treating autistic traits as symptoms. However, support should instead help them navigate a society that often fails to accommodate them.

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Many autistic individuals embrace autism as an inherent part of their identity, advocating for acceptance rather than treatment. While it is true that autistic people are disabled, this is often due to a mismatch between the autistic person’s needs and an environment that prioritizes non-autistic people. Seeking a cure implies that autism itself is the problem rather than the societal barriers that make life difficult for autistic people.

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Autism spectrum disorder treatments and cures both raise important ethical concerns. Many behavioral therapies focus on compliance in making autistic individuals appear less autistic, often at the expense of their well-being. These interventions can include applied behavior analysis therapy (or ABA therapy), which in some use cases can cause emotional and physical harm. This further raises concerns about consent and autonomy. 

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The pursuit of a cure also risks overlooking the real challenges autistic individuals face—not because of autism itself, but because of systemic barriers such as social exclusion, the physical and emotional toll of navigating an ableist world and a lack of autism-affirming healthcare.

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Many autistic individuals and allies argue that seeking a cure implies that being on the autism spectrum is inherently negative, disregarding the benefits of neurodiversity’s unique strengths and perspectives. It is generally problematic to assert that there is a “correct” way to develop as a person, and pursuing a cure can be perceived as an attempt to erase autistic people. 

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Autistic individuals are valuable humans whose experiences are valid. Instead of seeking to eliminate autism, a more ethical and effective approach is to foster acceptance, provide meaningful support and create environments where autistic individuals can thrive exactly as they are.

Autism is thought to be caused by a variety of factors, including both genetic and environmental factors.

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Autism has a strong genetic basis, with an estimated heritability of 90%. This means that scientists agree that autism is mostly inherited from the genes of biological parents. There is no single “autism gene.” Rather, some eight hundred genes are currently estimated to contribute to inheriting autism. The most current understanding is that autism is largely inherited through multiple interacting genes. Additionally, these genetic factors interact with various environmental influences to affect how autistic traits manifest in individuals.  

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Environmental factors do not cause autism but may play a role in how genetic traits are expressed. These environmental factors are anything outside of an individual that influences their development and may occur before or during pregnancy. 

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For example, environmental prenatal influences that have been studied as potential contributors are:

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• Maternal immune activation
• Exposure to certain medications (such as valproate)
• Exposure to certain pesticides
• Air pollution 
• Older parents at conception
• Maternal obesity or diabetes

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Perinatal factors that may increase the likelihood but do not directly cause autism are:

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• Difficulties during birth
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight

Misinformation and the lack of autistic representation have contributed to widespread myths about autism. Many misconceptions about the existence of an autism cure stem from misinformation spread by organizations, media portrayals and even well-meaning parents. For example, organizations like Autism Speaks have faced criticism for framing an autism diagnosis as a tragedy affecting someone who must be cured, further fueling stigma and fear. Additionally, a lack of representation of autistic voices in discussions about autism has contributed to misunderstandings.

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What are some common myths about curing autism?

Although our understanding of autism has grown as a society, many myths have persisted over the years. Here are some of the most common myths and realities. 

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• “Vaccines cause autism”: This myth has been widely debunked by extensive scientific research. There is no credible evidence linking vaccines to autism.
• “Cold parenting causes autism”: The “refrigerator mother theory” is an outdated and discredited theory that blames autism on cold, unloving parenting. 
• “Poor diet and food additives cause autism”: While diet can impact overall health and well-being, there is no evidence that gluten, dairy or any food additives cause autism.
• “Mercury and heavy metals cause autism”:  No conclusive evidence links mercury exposure to autism. Despite this, some people subject autistic individuals to harmful chelation therapy (which is a treatment designed to remove heavy metals from the body for conditions like lead poisoning). Some falsely claim it can “cure” autism. In reality, this “therapy” can have serious health risks without any proven benefits.

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What realities should we focus on?

Much of the funding in autism research is still focused on genetics research—seeking to identify the cause of autism, which ultimately contributes to the myth of trying to reverse it. While genetic research has shown that autism is primarily inherited, we must ask: Why is there a continued focus on a cure rather than support?

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Framing autism solely as a deficit overlooks the many strengths that autistic individuals bring to the world. For example, many autistic people have:

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• A strong sense of justice
• Intense focus
• Unique problem-solving skills
• Deep expertise in niche areas.
• Exceptional attention to detail
• High levels of creativity
• A strong ability to recognize patterns and think analytically

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Instead of focusing on “fixing” autism, we should prioritize the needs and perspectives of autistic individuals themselves. Research that directly asks autistic adults about their priorities consistently highlights the need for greater accessibility, autonomy and acceptance. These are the areas where real change can make a meaningful difference.

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Living a fulfilling autistic life is not about changing who you are or treating autism “symptoms.” It’s about finding the right supports, resources and communities that help you thrive. Some examples are as follows.

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• Neurodiversity-affirming therapy: These therapists respect and support autistic identity rather than attempting to suppress autistic traits as autism symptoms. A neurodiversity-affirming therapist will not attempt to suppress autistic traits but will instead provide strategies for navigating a world that often fails to accommodate autistic needs. 
• Neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy and speech-language therapy: These supports can also help autistic individuals develop essential skills while supporting self-determination.
• Educational accommodations: Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans provide the necessary classroom support for students. 
• Workplace accommodations: These accommodations can help autistic individuals thrive on the job. Flexible scheduling, sensory-friendly work environments, and job coaching can make a big difference.
• Access to sensory-friendly spaces and events: These spaces are also becoming more common, with libraries, theaters, community centers and more offering quiet spaces with reduced lighting and noise.
• Assistive technology: Tools like augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and sensory aids play an important role in supporting communication and sensory regulation.
• Support groups: Autistic-led and neurodivergent-friendly support groups offer safe spaces for connection and shared experiences. By providing peer support and validation, these groups can be invaluable in reducing feelings of isolation. They also share practical strategies for managing common challenges, such as sensory sensitivities, executive function difficulties and communication barriers. Moreover, these groups create a sense of community where those on the autism spectrum can embrace their identity without the pressure to mask or change their traits.

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Navigating autism and mental health challenges

Autism spectrum disorder itself is not a mental health condition, but many autistic people experience co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Living in a world that’s not designed for autistic people can be overwhelming, and research shows that autistic individuals face higher rates of trauma, stressful life events and suicidality compared to non-autistic individuals.

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Mental health support is crucial for autistic individuals to live fulfilling lives, but traditional approaches may not always be effective. Autistic brains differ from non-autistic brains, meaning that mainstream mental health advice may not always apply. Finding a neurodiversity-affirming therapist is key. These therapists understand that autistic lives may look different from neurotypical lives—and that this isn’t a problem to be fixed. By addressing these co-occurring disorders, autistic individuals can improve their quality of life.

The divide between awareness and acceptance campaigns in autism advocacy is stark. Autism awareness campaigns frequently misrepresent autism, focusing on the tragedy narrative and the desire to “fix” or “cure” autistic people. Autism acceptance, on the other hand, centers on acknowledging autism as a natural, valid experience of being human. Acceptance campaigns focus on creating a more inclusive society––one that understands and values neurodiversity. These campaigns aim to increase understanding, empathy, and support rather than attempting to force those on the autism spectrum to conform to a neurotypical standard. 

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Adults on the autism spectrum face an alarmingly low life expectancy, largely due to systemic disparities in healthcare, social support and access to neurodiversity-affirming services. Instead of focusing on “curing” autism or making autistic people appear less autistic, the emphasis should be on accepting autistic differences and improving health outcomes and overall quality of life for autistic individuals.

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Attempting to “cure” a fundamental way of being isn’t just unnecessary—it’s an erasure of identity. Rather than trying to eliminate autism, efforts should be directed toward reducing barriers, increasing acceptance and ensuring that autistic individuals have the support they need to thrive.

At Prosper Health, we believe that the key to thriving as an autistic individual is to embrace neurodiversity. Our team of adult autism specialists offers neurodiversity-affirming therapy and diagnostic services designed to empower autistic individuals by honoring their unique experiences, strengths and challenges.

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We offer virtual therapy and assessments that are accessible and covered by most major insurance plans. Our approach is tailored to your needs, helping you achieve meaningful progress with specialized support that includes everything related to navigating autism-related challenges. Schedule an intake appointment with our team today to discover the power of neurodiversity-affirming support.