Lizzie,
I apologize for being facetious. I am trying to understand. Are you suggesting that parents should prefer to have an autistic child over a non-autistic child?
So everyone here seems to have experience with a family member or friend with autism. We love, cherish and appreciate each and every one. I for one wish my niece who is barely functional were not autistic.
Her parents want her to go to a regular school, go to her prom, marry, - none of these things are in the foreseeable future. Hailey attends classes for autistic children. To keep her in this world she requires daily training with specialists in her home. Every day my nephew has to make arrangements to accomodate visiting teachers - weekends too. Without it, Hailey slips back into her cocoon. The expenses, even with aid, is extraordinary. Both parents work and arrange their schedules around Hailey's teachers.

Is this the gift you think is so critical to keep alive?
I don't understand. She is not a savant. There is no evident miraculous artistic ability. She relies on her parents every minute just to exist safely.
Mary