If medication existed for autism, how would you feel about it?

[Aspychata]

Just would find it hard to believe. Then anxiety would kick in, because side effects are horrid. And l would wonder if the pharma company was looking to get rich off of us.

 

[Misty Avich]

If the side effects included drowsiness then I'll be all up for it.

 

[Cassandra65]

Many mental disorders and neurodivergent conditions have treatments in the form of medication that can help reduce symptoms of said condition they’re meant to treat. How would you feel if a medication existed for treating the more dangerous effects from symptoms of autism like stimming? (I’m not saying stimming it’s dangerous, quite the opposite in fact. Stimming should be encouraged just as long as the stims don’t cause anyone/the individual in question harm or hurt anyone/their surroundings in the process)

I would consider trying homeopathic, naturopathic or herbal remedies, but I believe that big pharma are a bunch of conscienceless capitalist snake-oil salesmen, so I avoid their 'products' as much as I can

 

[Jonn]

I think I'd need to see a list of these symptoms of autism that
have dangerous effects before I'd be able to respond to a
question of how I felt about medication for that.

Who here doesn't have PTSD due to the treatment we received in an NT-dominated world?

 

[Jonn]

I would change society instead.

Agreed...

 

[Jonn]

I like some of the things that autism does for me. I wouldn't want those things to be "cured." And then there are some very painful things that come with autism I'd take a low-harm drug to improve

How about this:
Give us a pill that "cures" autism and let us decide whether or not to continue using it after personal evaluation.
If you don't like the "new you", stop taking it.

 

[stevens]

How about this:
Give us a pill that "cures" autism and let us decide whether or not to continue using it after personal evaluation.
If you don't like the "new you", stop taking it.

I'd be fine with that. After all, I tried alcohol (it worked for certain social deficits so far as I could tell), but I gave it up because of the side-effects. I'd try a better drug and see what happens, assuming a good side-effect profile.

But there may be some collateral effect that would reduce my choices. Given the existence of a drug that society believes whether true or not will "cure" autism, then non-compliant autistics who refuse to take the drug may be treated more like non-compliant schizophrenics are today with regard to treatment drugs. At the moment we get some space sometimes because it is believed that autism is intrinsic and not readily treatable.

 

[Tom]

No, I don't think I'd be interested. Perhaps when I was young I might have experimented with it.

But now a medication that made you feel autistic for a few hours might be interesting. I see lots of marketing possibilities. We could be filthy stinking rich!

 

[Jonn]

No, I don't think I'd be interested. Perhaps when I was young I might have experimented with it.

Psychology is a special interest of mine.
If there wasn't any enduring side effects, I might give it a try after considering the pamphlet that came with it.

BTW, I have considered trying meds that help with ADD, but since I don't have a psychiatrist, it isn't possible ATM.

 

[Masaniello]

It’s not autism as such that is the problem for me. Comorbidities like anxiety and depression are what I’d like gone.