Real-life X-Men {Warning: Potential Spoilers}

As I was watching the X-men live-action films again, earlier this month, I was struck by the very clear similarities between the mutant condition, in the universe of the films, and autism. Other commentators have referenced similarities with other "minority" groups, but I have little experience with the most commonly mentioned minorities.

It was mainly in the trilogy that I noticed the similarities (presumably as the main theme was the struggle between the Professor X's X-Men and Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants as the former attempted to protect the humans from the latter's attempts to take over the world and assert mutant superiority, whereas the other films focused on the backstories of several of the characters and other wars). A striking moment was at the house of Bobby Drake (aka Iceman), when his mother suggested he "stop being a mutant". This is something I have heard in connection to autism. Just like their mutations, autism is not something you can just turn on and off, like a light switch.

One of the main plot points of X-Men: The Last Stand, is the introduction of a chemical that cures mutants. Though there is (fortunately, I think) no such drug for autism, the reaction is quite similar to what I have noticed whenever the subject is brought up among auties. Some want a cure, so that they can fit in, or to have an easier life. Others are completely against a cure, regardless of the difficulties autism carries with it. Of the last group, there are many who are like Magneto, who say that autism is the next step in human evolution and such stuff. Though I too oppose a cure (for reasons I shall explain more fully at a later point), I am more moderate than those and simply see autism as more or less (mainly more) equal in value to "normalcy".

The autie supremacists often discourage cure-seekers from doing so, as they see autism as something to be proud of, not as a disease or disorder (a common view by many parents, NTs* and some auties themselves). I tend to agree, mainly because it is my opinion that it is society and not autism itself that makes it so hard for us to live happy lives. But, honestly, I think the point is moot as I do not see autism as something that can be cured: it is an inherent part of the individual, meaning that if you removed autism, there would not be much left of the person.

I sympathise with both mutant organisations, I do not want to be branded or labeled, I do not want to be cured "for my benefit". I only want acceptance and recognition.

Though we auties do not have superpowers as described by the comics, I believe that our abilities are no less amazing or varied than those of the X-men. A rare few have so-called "savant" abilities (for instance the memorisation and subsequent perfect reproduction of a city), but even those without such recognisable abilities have talents that stand out and contrast with the perceived limitations. I know an autie who has limited social skills, to the point he does not seem to realise his blunders and the lack of interest people are showing, yet he's a dab hand at the diabolo.

In closing, a quote from the second film of the trilogy, X2, when Nightcrawler is talking to Storm:

"You know, outside the circus, most people were afraid of me. But I didn't hate them. I pitied them. Do you know why? Because most people will never know anything beyond what they see with their own two eyes. 

This is something with which I relate very strongly: NTs seem very limited, most of them are boring and only interested in gossiping, watching mindless shows on TV and making sure they do not do anything outside the box. Sheeple. Naturally, there are exceptions, but in general, NTs miss out on a lot that goes on in the world.


NT = Neurotypical (i.e. non-auties)