n the debate about Autism as a disorder vs. simply another way for the brain to function, I've always found myself torn between both sides. Full Disclosure, my 5 year old nephew is high functioning and he's a great kid. Yes, he has some issues, and I dont in the least mean to suggest he wont have some challenges in the future. But in him I can absolutely see why so many folks with Autism argue that there's nothing wrong with them, (and I agree) and I respect that a lot.
However, with my sister's family involved with many families in our area with autistic members, I've also met some kids who will never function on their own. They will be in family care, or group homes for the rest of their lives. And when I see those kids, I completely understand why we have parents pushing to find a cure, people who absolutely would "fix" these family members in a heart beat, not from any desire to wipe out anyone, but BECAUSE they love them and see that they are always going to have horrible health issues that steam from their autism, or will always be trapped inside themselves, basically completely dependent on others forever (and a lot of families worry about the quality of care and chance of abuse if these kids end up in non-family care) One of our friend families just had to place their son in care because (a) he's become far too large to handle safely when he has meltdowns and (b) the family simply was unable to give him the care he needed at home and it devastated them to make that choice.
I point all this out not to take sides, but to simply say that the argument for a "cure" for autism (assuming that's even possible) often doesn't come out of some kind of hitler-ish hate of people with autism, but fear and love for people with autism by the families that DO love them.