Augmentative communication

 Aditi Sowmyanarayan is  a neurodivergent 17-year-old blogger and writer who uses text to speech to communicate. Aditi goes to ishanya India foundation in Bangalore. An avid blogger, she blogs on www.smallstepbigthought.blogspot.com

Aditi’s first fiction novella - With You Right Through, is available on kindle and kindle app worldwide. Bookosmia, a leading online publishing platform for under 18s, regularly publishes her writing. Aditi is a freelance writer with Avaz, the company that makes the text to speech app for autism, Avaz. She has contributed her perspectives to Talking Fingers, the first of its kind book in India that brings forth the perspectives of Indian non speaking autistics. Aditi also writes content for project lattice, a social media based initiative targeted at teens and young adults that aims to promote equality, acceptance and inclusion. She is the only neurodivergent person on team Project Lattice.

The Key Difference:

Diversity is key to continuous evolution and growth of all life forms , but it makes maximum impact on the evolution and growth of humanity at large . We have always acknowledged the role that physical , racial , cultural and even sexual diversity has played in the evolution of the modern world , but what aboutcognitive diversity , especially those cognitive differences that are propelled by neurodiversity?

Our cognition , or understanding of the world around us , is governed by the signals that our senses send to our brain . Now , what about the cognitive understanding of people whose senses are hyperreactive or under reactive to the cues in the environment ?

The term ‘Neurodiversity’ was first coined by Judy Singer, a sociologist , nearly two decades ago , to describe a group of people whose brains are ‘wired differently’, owing to their sensory differences.This umbrella term includes people with Autism , ADHD, Dyslexia  and Dyspraxia - in short, people whose senses react differently to the environment around them , thereby endowing them with a very different perspective of the world .

So , why is it important to acknowledgeand respect cognitive diversity, especially considering the challenges that these disorders cause to an individual’s ability to lead a normal life ?

Cognitive diversity brings with it certain strengths like keen visual perception , an eyefor detail, hyper focus and most importantly out of the box thinking - traitsthat are key to solving complex problems and making a positive impact Thinkof Bill Gates , Elon Musk and Greta Thunberg- all neurodivergent individuals .Their contribution has significantly impacted the way we think and live!

This is not to glamourise neurodiversityor take away the challenges that neurodivergent people face on a day to daybasis. I am autistic and to say that ‘it is difficult’ is an understatement .But optimal use of strengths and meaningful employment for neurodivergent people can be achieved with the right amount of support and modifications.

In any case, concepts like hybrid work arrangements have become the ‘ normal’ in the postpandemic world. It makes business sense to offer such supports to neurodivergent individuals because the strengths that they bring to the table and the contributions that they can make far outweigh the cost  of providing such support.

Think of this peepal sapling growing in a crevice in the concrete as a analogy.Peepal saplings have a way of growing in tiny crevices and narrow spaces .They do not need much water or nutritious soil. They do not need constant watering or nurturing. They are different! You can look at this sapling as a weed and clear it or you can plant it in an open space for it to grow and give shade. The choice is yours to make!

Making wise choices is the key, for the odds at stake are productive people who can make positive contributions when provided with right environment and support.