With all the increased awareness programmes, is there any cure for autism yet?

Posted by aimewolf on April 29th, 2014

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, a part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which also includes pervasive developmental disorder and Asperger's syndrome. Such is the prevalence of this disorder that many researchers have been looking to solve some of the questions about autism raised by concerned parents and guardians, i.e. what is the cure for autism and why haven’t we been able to find an autism cure till now. It baffles many, due to the wide spectrum nature of this disorder, where no two individuals display the same symptoms. It is important for all parents and would be parents to be aware of the child's developmental stage and detect if anything is amiss or doesn’t seem normal.

Due to increased prevalence worldwide, awareness programmes about persons with autism have increased tenfold. As geography is not a cause for autism, it can be found in every continent of the world, institutions have cropped up everywhere, looking to support families of children with ASD and provide therapies. Many efforts are being undertaken to increase awareness of autism and related disorders around the world, because the more people know about autism, can it help find a cure for autism.

The world autism awareness day is celebrated on 2 April every year, in order to shine light on the growing need for concern and awareness. With online events and activities, presidential declarations, and local events, this day brings autism to the fore on a global scale; and with that, increased awareness means increased efforts to detect early, and consequently prevent it, because currently, there is no medically known autism cure yet, and hence preventing is desirable.

Individuals can become part of support groups, volunteer in therapy sessions, donate for research that aims to find a cure for autism, and is a good way to be updated with all the issues and latest information in the autism community. According to recent statistics, early diagnosis and intervention can reduce the cost of lifelong care by 2/3rds, so this means that increased awareness helps more than just inform society at large. If the public is well informed about autism and its effects, persons with autism could find greater acceptance in society. With education opportunities for children with ASD, to employment opportunities, increased awareness can help contribute to the child's development.    

Statistics say that the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities is 14%. This large number speaks for itself and calls for greater action on the part of society. Autistic people and children require more acceptance and love and getting this through the general public will help. If there ever will be an autism cure discovered, these autistic people can finally be healed. This comes with increased awareness and understanding of ASD as a whole and autism as the important part of this. Some believe that people with autism do not have feelings; in fact the truth is that some of these individuals also feel the same way many others do. They may also have high IQs and talent for computers.

With increased awareness, it may help the medical profession find an autism cure. Such a cure for autism would take away a huge societal expense as well.