Musings of a Divergent Mind

Hi , my name is Aditi Sowmyanarayan. I am nineteen and I am an award winning author of fiction. If I have to describe myself , I would say that I am a typical girl next door, but with a difference. I experience the world a tad bit differently, and express in ways that are anything but run of the mill. I am a non speaking autistic and I use Avaz, a text-to-speech app on my iPad to communicate .

Technology unlocked my world, literally and figuratively. It helped me find my voice, follow my passion and find my identity. Such is the power of technology; the power to augment learning, change perceptions and sow the seeds for a positive change.

When I use the term ‘autistic’, what is the picture that comes to your mind? A ‘weird’ person who loves her own  company, who is brilliant in some ways and downright ‘challenged’ in others? Now, if I add the term ‘non speaking’ to the term ‘autism’, what is the picture that comes to your mind? Probably that of someone who rocks incessantly, makes weird and loud noises and for most part, is ‘incapable’ of learning anything much.

Now, what if I tell you that these are mere stereotypes and we autistics, including non speakers, can learn, form friendships and forge our own identity?

The term ‘neurodiversity’, was first coined by Australian sociologist Judy Singer to refer to neurotypes like Autism, ADHD and more. She argued that we neurodivergent experience the world differently, which translates to a difference in the way in which we interact with others, learn and live. Different is not less! Accommodating for our differences can help us neurodivergent learn, live and even thrive.

I couldn’t agree more. It all begins with presuming competence. If you believe that I am capable of learning, you will be more willing to make accommodations and teach me in a way that I can learn. If you believe that I possess the skills needed to do a job and bring my own valuable strengths to the table, you will be more open to providing work place accommodations and if you believe that I possess the ability to travel independently, socialise and forge friendships, you will work towards making public spaces more accessible for me.

Did this make you think a bit differently about us autistics? Such is the power of the written word , a power that can herald the change that I wish to see.