Late (maybe too much) to the autism discussion, but perhaps this dialogue from X2 might help:
Nightcrawler: Excuse me? They say you can imitate anybody, even their voice.
Mystique: [as Nightcrawler] Even their voice.
Nightcrawler: Then why not stay in disguise all the time? You know, look like everyone else.
Mystique: Because we shouldn’t have to.
Maybe we’re past this, but I skipped several pages, so I will wrap it up by pointing out, as Catbus said, that there is a culture among the deaf or the autistic. I have a brother with Down syndrome, and recently there have been advances that could potentially lead to a “cure” of the condition. Read this article to see how people feel about it:
Yes, technically, it is a disability. Nevertheless, there is a value to it. While some might want to escape or want their children to escape the difficulties that come with the genetic anomaly, others feel that such a change would result in a net loss rather than a gain. The common culture among members and families in these groups often feel like they are a variation of normal, just like Mystique does, and see no need to try to be like everyone else. They are exactly how they feel they should be. Why should they change?
I’m not saying this is right for everyone. I’m not saying we should not offer such “cures” them. But to expect it as the better option for all of them is a bit presumptuous. I don’t think I would ever want my brother cured. I love him as he is, and I’m so grateful for all he has taught me and my family. I can see why a cure to autism might be equally repulsive to many.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsOo3jzkhYA
Should you be the one deciding whether or not your brother should be cured?
What if curing your brother of Downs was only way he’d have the ability to make his own decisions in life?
Again I ask was Jesus wrong to make the blind see and the lame walk?
edit: I apologize for jumping the gun and assuming your brother doesn’t have the ability to make his own decisions. I should asked “What if your bother didn’t have the ability to make his own decisions, and curing the Downs was the only way he could have that ability?”
He certainly does not have the ability to make his own decisions, so your assumption was spot on.
Therefore, denying him the cure(if there was one) would be denying him the opportunity to be able to make his own decisions in life.
Jesus cured people, but how many people did he leave uncured? Why do you think he didn’t cure everyone of everything? Why do you think he allowed my brother to be born with trisomy-21? Perhaps he allows people to be different to allow for a different type of blessing to come to people.
I don’t know why he didn’t cure everyone. I tend to think that I did know why he didn’t cure everyone, I’d be God.
And his disciples asked him, “Master, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God might be made manifest in him.”
John 9:2-3
and then Jesus healed him 😉