> How about we encourage people to use the skills and passions they have, rather than box them into conforming to the vision of the few ?
Because life doesn't work like that. If you want to be a doctor you need to undergo a grueling training regimen. I'm deeply passionate about software, but that doesn't change that 80% of my time is spent doing boring, tedious work because that's what work is. Even if you're an artist. I know literally artists. There is no way to have fun all the time doing something productive.
That's why I teach my (admittedly, high functioning) ASD daughter about tolerating non-preferred activities to get what she wants. Yes, she finds having her face painted disgusting, revolting, skin crawling. She willingly endures it every time because she delights in the result. It's her choice every time to sit in a chair and have it done. That's the kind of thing I want her to take from childhood into adulthood because every adult has to do things they hate for the sake of society running and even the care of themselves.
Same way I don't like exercise because it's just actively awful because of my condition, but to not do it is to make myself deteriorate over the long term because of my condition. I want my daughter to be able to make those kinds of decisions. What sucks, but is good for her in the long run. We finally got bathing on the list. No one is going to argue with me that a person who never bathes is a functioning person.
I will continue to "train" my kid. Her life is better for it. Ever since she got therapy she has been happier, more stable, less disturbed by the world, and more able to connect with people both like her and not like her. If any parent could get an outcome like mine from "training" they'd pick it every time. No one is gonna tell me when my kid used to slap herself and cower under chairs is better than my kid who is probably too obsessed with trains and rainbows and spins while she walks when happy. I think I like her spinning better than her cowering.
There is a difference between support towards a better life, which is what you are describing, than 'breaking their spirit' which is often what schools and very commonly what employers do.
It's not about always getting your way or doing things you like, but by the same measure, people should never be forced to 'conform' if it's not critical to society.
It's great that you support your daughter, and that therapy is available. We don't have the same degree of difficulty in our family (myself and daughter both very 'high functioning') but that makes it almost impossible to get support and the world is just typically set on 'breaking our spirit'.
It sounds like you're doing the right thing, but conformance would not be. So many of the most successful and inspiration people, are not those who conformed, but perhaps were more privileged in their opportunities.
However we may disagree in part though, I commend you on your approach and absolutely agree that if it can become a person's choice, so long as it doesn't take advantage of their vulnerability in choosing, it's often for the better.
So much of what is 'boring' or 'tedious' is also contextual. Two different software companies offering the exact same role, may have vastly different expectations and the experience to the employee also vastly different.
I don't expect 'fun' all of the time, but I do expect work to be engaging and driven towards the value I bring - if I'm expected to become 'someone else', then there is no point.
Because life doesn't work like that. If you want to be a doctor you need to undergo a grueling training regimen. I'm deeply passionate about software, but that doesn't change that 80% of my time is spent doing boring, tedious work because that's what work is. Even if you're an artist. I know literally artists. There is no way to have fun all the time doing something productive.
That's why I teach my (admittedly, high functioning) ASD daughter about tolerating non-preferred activities to get what she wants. Yes, she finds having her face painted disgusting, revolting, skin crawling. She willingly endures it every time because she delights in the result. It's her choice every time to sit in a chair and have it done. That's the kind of thing I want her to take from childhood into adulthood because every adult has to do things they hate for the sake of society running and even the care of themselves.
Same way I don't like exercise because it's just actively awful because of my condition, but to not do it is to make myself deteriorate over the long term because of my condition. I want my daughter to be able to make those kinds of decisions. What sucks, but is good for her in the long run. We finally got bathing on the list. No one is going to argue with me that a person who never bathes is a functioning person.
I will continue to "train" my kid. Her life is better for it. Ever since she got therapy she has been happier, more stable, less disturbed by the world, and more able to connect with people both like her and not like her. If any parent could get an outcome like mine from "training" they'd pick it every time. No one is gonna tell me when my kid used to slap herself and cower under chairs is better than my kid who is probably too obsessed with trains and rainbows and spins while she walks when happy. I think I like her spinning better than her cowering.