Autism Is Not A Problem

Autism is not a puzzle to be solved or a problem to be fixed. It is a natural variation in human neurology, a fundamental part of human diversity. Autistic people experience the world in ways that may differ from neurotypical norms, but these differences are not deficiencies. Rather, they reflect the richness and complexity of human existence. Attempts to pathologize autism—to frame it as something broken or defective—are not only misleading but also profoundly harmful.

One of the most persistent and damaging narratives surrounding autism is the search for a singular "cause." Over the years, various speculative theories have been proposed, from vaccines to environmental chemicals to brain damage. These claims, often lacking scientific rigor or fueled by fear and misinformation, have led to stigma, discrimination, and even abusive "treatments" aimed at curing something that does not need to be cured. The desire to find a cause often stems from the assumption that autism is an aberration, an unfortunate malfunction that must be understood in order to be prevented. But this assumption is flawed at its core.

When we approach autism as something that needs a cause, we reinforce the notion that it is an abnormality rather than a legitimate and valuable way of being. Autism is not the result of injury, disease, or damage. It is not something gone wrong. The idea that autistic people are broken versions of neurotypical people is a harmful and deeply ableist perspective that ignores both scientific understanding and the lived realities of autistic individuals.

Historically, this search for a cause has led to real harm. Eugenicists and other harmful actors have sought to eliminate autistic people rather than accept and support them. Even today, organizations and research efforts that focus on "curing" autism contribute to the dehumanization of autistic individuals, often diverting attention and resources away from issues that actually matter—such as accessibility, support, and accommodations that allow autistic people to thrive. The focus should not be on preventing autism but on creating a world that respects and includes autistic people as they are.

For those of us who understand human dignity through the lens of faith, it is vital to affirm that autistic people are created in the image of God. The image of God is not confined to a particular neurological type or cognitive style; it is not limited to those who communicate in typical ways or experience the world in standard sensory terms. To be autistic is to be fully and beautifully human.

Christian theology at its best recognizes that human worth is not determined by conformity to a norm but by the inherent value bestowed by the Creator. Autistic people are not deviations from an ideal humanity—they are expressions of the diversity that God has woven into creation. The Church, if it is to be faithful to its calling, must resist the impulse to view autistic people as problems to be solved. Instead, it should be a place of radical welcome, where neurodiversity is embraced and where all people, autistic or otherwise, are seen as indispensable parts of the body of Christ.

This means moving beyond mere inclusion and into full belonging. It means making worship spaces, educational programs, and community life truly accessible. It means rejecting language and practices that frame autism as a deficit. It means advocating for policies that protect autistic rights and listening to autistic voices rather than speaking over them. It means recognizing that the challenges autistic people face are often not intrinsic to autism itself but arise from societal barriers and ableist attitudes.

Autism is not something to be "overcome." It is not a tragedy, nor is it a superpower. It is simply one way of being human, no more or less valid than any other. The call is not to change autistic people but to change the world—to create a world where autistic people are accepted, supported, and allowed to flourish as they are. Anything less is a failure of justice, a failure of love, and a failure to recognize the sacred image of God in every person.