An Open Letter to the Person who Knows how to Cure Autism

Stop emailing me.

Stop emailing parents like me.

Stop. Just stop.

Remove us from your mailing list.

Leave us alone. Please.

Because while I’m weathered enough now to not get my hopes up and fall for these things, many parents aren’t yet.

You are preying on families.

Moms and dads of newly diagnosed children who have just heard the word autism said out loud for the first time about their beautiful child.

‘Give your child this pill and their autism will be gone.’

‘Have your child watch this video and they will say a sentence the next day.’

‘Parents give their child ‘this’ and they are no longer autistic.’

Just like that.

You are selling a cure. At least that is what you claim.

Snake juice. Removing gluten. A new supplement. And even scarier methods that involve bleach and starving your child.

But you are sneaky. You don’t reach just parents. You go farther.

Grandparents. Aunt Sheila at the hair salon. Cousin Jeff talking to his mailman.

And these well-meaning people send the email to a parent like me. Or tag us on Facebook.

They’ve heard of a child who has been cured.

The offers always start the same way. Every. Single Time.

‘I want to give you information that will help your child.’ Like they know some secret that the rest of the world doesn’t.

‘I didn’t want to put this publicly on Facebook.’ Because it’s a secret…

‘Click this link.’

‘Your life will change.’

‘Your child will overcome autism.’

And if the email comes from an actual person it always says…‘I am not making any money off of this.’

That one makes me giggle the most.

Then why say it?!?!

You are preying on parents like me. Nice, good, parents.

Parents who are exhausted. Who haven’t slept in years. Who will do anything to help their child.

Parents who are desperate for a little bit of relief for their child. And themselves.

Parents who are looking for hope. And when your so called ‘cure’ fails, the parents are out money.

But you know what…it’s not even about the money really.

It’s the rise and ultimate crash of hope that you put parents through.

You don’t have the cure for autism anymore than anyone else in this world.

You want to know why?

Mostly because there isn’t one. There are no quick fixes or magic pills.

But also because if you did, EVERYONE WOULD KNOW ABOUT IT.

It wouldn’t be a secret that costs $49.99 a month and a year long subscription.

It wouldn’t be available only on the internet.

You wouldn’t have to hear about it from a friend of a friend’s daughter’s mailman.

It would be available to everyone.

Not just the person who clicks your link or happens to be a member of an elite group on Facebook.

And you want to know why? Because autism is expensive. That is a fact.

So, if there was some magic pill that could take it all away…it would be available because therapy, special education and life long care for so many of these kiddos on the spectrum ain’t cheap.

The best part…no one has ever heard of your cure. Actually, when said out loud, most advise against it.

Doctors don’t know about your cures.

Therapists have never heard of it.

So, because I am from Minnesota and way too nice, I will say this the only way I know how…

Please take what you are selling and go away.

And just to be clear…while there is no cure for autism there are tools, resources, therapies, medications and supplements that may alleviate some of the behaviors that your child has. They ‘may’ help your child to feel better. They ‘may’ help your child to sleep, learn and grow.

Which will ultimately result in a decrease in intensity. But, your child will not be cured.

I love my son. I tried so many things in the beginning. I just wanted to help him. I wanted to make it all better.

I clicked a lot of links. I got my hopes up more than once.

You got me. I can admit that.

Here is a piece of advice that is worth a million times more than $49.99 a month and my first born child…

Finding the right therapy and education works. Speech and OT works. Early intervention works. Giving them a way to communicate works. Building your village works.

Never giving up hope works.

Sincerely, a mother who has been there.

Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook, subscribe for exclusive videos, and subscribe to our newsletter.