58 What is Autism?
AIDS research did not receive as much attention as it might have received
if, for instance, it had afflicted the wealthy and morally accepted segments
of society [19].
Bernard Rimland served in the US Navy as a psychologist [16]. His book,
Infantile Autism: The Syndrome and Its Implications for a Neural Therapy of
Behavior, helped propel autism onto the public stage to a more pronounced
degree [20]. Rimland was a guiding force behind the creation of the National
Society for Autistic Children. He focused on genetics, and shifted the dialogue
away from blaming parents to genetic forces that were not under human con-
trol. Unfortunately, he became so obsessed with the idea of curing individuals
on the autism spectrum that he gave inadequate attention to schools and other
services that could help autistic children in the here and now. This tension
between searching for a cure/prevention and pressing for institutional assis-
tance to ameliorate present challenges has continued. Certainly, one can see
value in both. Finding the proper balance is the key.
In dealing with serious health conditions, finding a cure has obvious appeal;
so does providing quality services for those already afflicted. As obvious as is
the need to provide support for both of these positions, finding the appropri-
ately synchronized approach is difficult. Excessive emphasis on finding a cure
can take much needed resources away from caring for those who presently
suffer from an ASD condition. Excessive financial allocations to deal with pre-
sent situations can, conversely, can lead to inadequate funding for the very
research that could both prevent future health problems and lessen future
budgetary demands that accompany the problems. In public policy decisions
related to autism, this balance between funding for research and funding for
services continues. We maintain that this is an important debate, and one that
should continue, because neither area must be slighted. We also maintain that
the two are not separate issues, and that both are served best when an interre-
lated approach is applied. Understanding the conditions that afflict those on
the autism spectrum can inform research about causation. Likewise, discover-
ies about causation, for example in neurological fetal and infant development,
can inform treatment or prevention possibilities. One specific example involves
young adults, who are faced with educational needs and require employment
support. Without appropriate social services (and many believe that such sup-
port is woefully lacking), this large group is falling significantly behind their
peers in terms of successfully navigating the challenges of employment, family,
and independence. Wise expenditures that enable individuals to be reasonably
self‐sufficient can, in fact, prove cost‐effective. Moreover, there are many con-
tributions that can be made, and have been made in the past, by those on the
spectrum. However, if autistic individuals do not have reasonable support, they
can easily be found among the unemployed, the homeless, and the ill rather
than in the news headlines referring to discoveries, promotions, and creative
achievements.