“I will never use my disability as an excuse to be mediocre” - Siri.

“I will never use my disability as an excuse to be mediocre” 

said Siri, on her scholarship application, when asked about special circumstances she may be facing.

I come across many parents with special needs children during the course of my work, building technology tools to help people affected by autism. When I discuss with them about the possibility of using these tools to improve their motor skills or communication skills, some immediately respond saying, “My son/daughter will never be able to do that.” 

Sometimes I feel we, as parents of special needs children, place limits on what our child can do. I sometimes catch myself slipping into this mindset when Siri, my daughter with non-speaking autism, says that she wants to become a neuroscientist. All her life, she was not able to speak, but now, for the last 3 years, she has been using the letter board to point to letters to communicate. And she is now studying in college! Something I could have never dreamt of even a few years ago.

Another negative effect of this mindset could discourage children from trying to push themselves to reach the next level. Like a rope that is tied to an elephant’s leg when it was a baby, which makes it think it cannot break free as an adult. A kind of learned helplessness.

I am hoping that, as some individuals like my daughter make these leaps, others will be encouraged to try out new modalities to improve their skills. Maybe they can also dream of becoming an accomplished person who will help make the world a better place.

I started to think - what is the downside to having hope? Avoiding disappointment? Whereas the upside is huge- a better, fulfilling life for my loved one. I will always take a chance on hope for my daughter’s sake.

Siri’s full answer:

“Having autism is extremely challenging. I experience sensorimotor difficulties that are exacerbated by daily expectations. I work hard to demonstrate my intelligence, and I have never taken any shortcuts. My grades are the result of my resilience. Any accommodations I require are to support my physiological challenges. I am intelligent, and I fully understand the course material as anyone else would. My body operates differently from others, and I have to put in more effort to complete coursework than my peers. I am motivated, determined and capable of achieving my goals, and I will never use my disability as an excuse to be mediocre.”

What are your thoughts?

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