With all due respect Un1k0rn, I think that the social stigma around AS and the scientific investigation into it should be taken as two separate cases.
We know NOW that there are social stigmas around autism and that bullies will latch onto this, as well as many people who believe that autism is an awful affliction instead of just someone whose brain works differently and has different strengths/weaknesses than they do. So we already should be and some are already working hard to change perceptions.
However, eduction is key long term. Education does not always mean easy conversations and it may not lead to humans always doing the right thing with that knowledge, but I wholeheartedly don't believe that we should shy away from knowledge because some may misuse it. While research continues, people must continue to work to change perceptions and social stigma.
As a few others have said in this thread, if we understand autism better, some AS people may wish to take action based on that to better suit their own situation. You may be comfortable with how your mind works but I do know some autistic people who have a hard time adapting, for example those who experience severe sensory overload - I think if knowledge could help them cope with these issues without changing who they are at their core, then that would be a good thing and people deserve that choice.
Having said all that I want to make it absolutely clear that I don't see being on the autistic spectrum as being a negative thing, I'm a huge believer in embracing our differences and uniqueness and for what it's worth I'll always fight that case when it comes up in conversation.
We know NOW that there are social stigmas around autism and that bullies will latch onto this, as well as many people who believe that autism is an awful affliction instead of just someone whose brain works differently and has different strengths/weaknesses than they do. So we already should be and some are already working hard to change perceptions.
However, eduction is key long term. Education does not always mean easy conversations and it may not lead to humans always doing the right thing with that knowledge, but I wholeheartedly don't believe that we should shy away from knowledge because some may misuse it. While research continues, people must continue to work to change perceptions and social stigma.
As a few others have said in this thread, if we understand autism better, some AS people may wish to take action based on that to better suit their own situation. You may be comfortable with how your mind works but I do know some autistic people who have a hard time adapting, for example those who experience severe sensory overload - I think if knowledge could help them cope with these issues without changing who they are at their core, then that would be a good thing and people deserve that choice.
Having said all that I want to make it absolutely clear that I don't see being on the autistic spectrum as being a negative thing, I'm a huge believer in embracing our differences and uniqueness and for what it's worth I'll always fight that case when it comes up in conversation.