The Cure Myth: Why Autism Doesn’t Need Fixing

If you search the internet late at night, you will find people promising to “cure” Autism. They will sell you supplements, detoxes, and secret protocols.

It is easy to be tempted by these promises, especially when you are worried about your child’s future.

But the short answer is: No, there is no cure for Autism.

And the longer answer is: Autism is not a disease that needs curing.

Here is the reality of the “cure” debate, the dangers to avoid, and the healthier goal you should aim for instead.

1. Why It Can’t Be Cured

You can cure an infection. You can fix a broken leg. You cannot “cure” a brain structure.

Autism is woven into the very fabric of how the brain develops. To “remove” the Autism, you would have to fundamentally rewrite the person’s entire personality, memories, and perception of the world. They wouldn’t be them anymore.

Think of it like being tall.

  • You can slouch (masking).
  • You can wear flat shoes (coping strategies).
  • But you will always be tall. No amount of “therapy” will turn a 6-foot person into a 5-foot person.

2. The Danger Zone (Snake Oil)

Because parents are often desperate for help, predatory industries have sprung up selling dangerous “cures.”

Please avoid these at all costs.

  • MMS (Bleach): Some groups sell “Miracle Mineral Solution” claiming it cures Autism. This is industrial bleach. It destroys the lining of the child’s gut. It is abusive and dangerous.
  • Chelation: This is a chemical process used to strip heavy metals from the blood. Unless your child has actual lead poisoning (verified by a hospital), this is dangerous and can cause kidney failure.
  • Raw Camel Milk / GAPS Diet: While nutrition is important, no specific food will “turn off” Autism.

3. Treatment vs. Cure

Just because we don’t cure Autism doesn’t mean we don’t support Autistic people.

There is a big difference between “fixing the person” and “supporting the struggle.”

We treat the things that cause suffering, such as:

  • Anxiety & Depression: Therapy and medication can be life-saving.
  • Sleep Issues: Melatonin and sleep hygiene help the brain rest.
  • Epilepsy: Seizures are common in Autistic people and need medical treatment.
  • Sensory Pain: We don’t “treat” the sensitivity; we change the environment. (This is why Spectrum Threadz focuses on sensory-friendly clothing—not to change the child, but to stop the clothes from hurting them).

4. The New Goal: Thriving, Not “Normal”

For a long time, the goal of therapy was to make Autistic kids look neurotypical.

  • “Stop flapping your hands.”
  • “Look me in the eye.”

We now know this causes trauma.

The goal of modern, neuro-affirming parenting is Quality of Life.

  • We don’t care if they flap their hands; we care if they are happy.
  • We don’t care if they use an iPad to speak instead of their mouth; we care that they can communicate their needs.

Summary

Your child (or your brain) is not broken. It is just a different operating system. The goal isn’t to force Windows onto a Mac; it’s to help the Mac run at its absolute best.