Autism cannot be cured by prayer, the Autism Advisory Council said today.

The Council drew attention to a television programme aired by the Fliving Channel, presented by Born Again Christian Phylisienne Brincat, whereby the story of a child who was “cured of autism” through prayer was discussed.

While remaining neutral as to people’s belief in religion and prayer, the council said that there is nothing to be cured as regards autism.

Autism is not a disease. It is a lifelong neurological difference, and while certain behaviours and co-occurring conditions – such as anxiety – are regularly linked to it, autism itself is part and parcel of a person’s identity, and not something to be ‘grown’/ ‘prayed’ out of.

Particularly in respect of behavioural manifestations linked to autism, these are many a time a reaction to a person trying to cope with a world that is inaccessible to them – such as a cluttered classroom at school – which warrants a shift in understanding and approach by those responsible for the social environment the children are in, rather than a change in the children themselves.

While behavioural management, as from an early age – and with the involvement of family members and other close persons – can help a person on the autism spectrum – this should never be a replacement for condoning society’s current lack of willingness to understand and adapt itself to the needs of all persons with disabilities – including persons on the autism spectrum. 

Pushing forward the idea that autism is something to be cured is pushing forward the wrong idea of autism, and a great disservice to persons on the autism spectrum and their family members.  We also call upon the Broadcasting Authority to take steps into this matter, further to obligations enshrined in legislation, and to ensure representation on its board by persons with disabilities, further to earlier calls in this regard.