Avaz Megaphone is a platform for neurodivergent individuals to express themselves through the written word. In today’s blog let us read what Aditi has to say about her voice.
Homo Sapiens: A Species Apart
What is the one thing that makes humans stand apart from other life forms? Apart from superior intelligence? It is the ability to communicate and relate to one another using language. The notions of civilized society, shared values and culture and our way of life itself is a byproduct of our need to belong and our ability to communicate.
I am a person with Autism – a neurodevelopment disorder that causes difficulty in socialization and communication. Being minimally verbal, I require AAC supports. I communicate with Avaz AAC.
Finding My Voice
I joined Ishanya India Foundation in January 2020. It was here that I was first introduced to Avaz. I was fourteen years old then. As I picked up the ability to type my thoughts out, I achieved a sense of liberation. Finding our voice is a very cathartic feeling. Hearing my voice is joy in its purest form.
The ability to type on my laptop followed as a natural corollary. I started by writing small anecdotes and stories. My tiny circle of family and educators really appreciated my work. This motivated me to write more. In November 2021, I wrote my first blog. The response to it filled me with elation!
I now have ten published blogs to my credit. A collection of short stories I authored is in the process of getting published by Ishanya Foundation. Going forward, I aspire to write much more.
Avaz opened up the magical world of words – these words that question the notion of a lack of
inner world in us autistics. Words are my superpower and I hope to use it well.
Everyone deserves to have a voice and every voice needs to be heard. I found my voice in Avaz.
A voice that has opened up a world of endless possibilities!
Avaz Megaphone is a platform for neurodivergent individuals to express themselves through the written word. We accept opinion pieces, short stories and poetry. Authors of accepted works will receive an honorarium. To make a submission please email us on: [email protected]
WRITTEN BY
Aditi Sowmyanarayan
Student & Writer
Aditi Sowmyanarayan is an eighteen year old who uses Avaz, a text to speech app, to communicate. She goes to Ishanya India Foundation, a special school in Bengaluru. Aditi is an avid blogger and an aspiring writer. She blogs on www.smallstepbigthought.blogspot.com
She can be reached on Instagram at writeaditi and on her Facebook page : small step big thought
