The importance of accomodations: supporting my sweet girl and others with ASD

Recently, my sweet girl, who is on the autism spectrum, underwent testing through her school district. She’s bright, inquisitive, and has a unique way of processing the world around her. However, the testing environment she encountered was not tailored to her needs. She asked for a simple accommodation—a calculator—which would have helped her demonstrate her knowledge more accurately. Her request was denied, and as a result, her scores did not reflect her true abilities.

This experience has left me with more questions than answers, not just about her schooling but about what awaits her in the world beyond high school. At her age, she deserves the chance to showcase her strengths without unnecessary barriers. However, when accommodations are denied, the results too often point to a misunderstanding about her abilities rather than an accurate assessment of her knowledge.

This leads me to wonder: what happens when these accommodations are also ignored in the workplace? Will her future employers make similar assumptions based on incomplete data or performance assessments that don’t reflect her potential?

Too often, workplaces and educational institutions assume that if someone fails to meet standardized expectations, it’s due to a lack of intelligence or capability. In reality, it might just mean that they weren’t given the tools they need to thrive. I think about the fact that one small adjustment—a calculator—might have made all the difference for her in that moment. This is true for many on the autism spectrum and for those with various learning or sensory processing differences.

Providing the right accommodations isn’t about giving someone an advantage; it’s about leveling the playing field. Accommodations recognize that each of us has different strengths, and those strengths shine best under different conditions. For my sweet girl and countless others, these adjustments enable fair assessments of their knowledge and abilities. They prevent misunderstandings and incorrect assumptions about intelligence or capability, which can lead to long-term consequences in both education and career advancement.

Thankfully, we at Autism Insights Foundation are stepping up to advocate for the changes needed to create fair and inclusive environments. Through initiatives aimed at promoting necessary accommodations and advocating for workplace equality, Autism Insights Foundation is paving the way for a future where my sweet girl, and others like her, won’t have to struggle for the supports they need. My sweet girl’s journey is a reminder to always look beyond surface-level results and to advocate for accommodations in every space that matters—school, work, and beyond.

At Autism Insights Foundation we will continue to lead this charge, ensuring that our society recognizes and respects the abilities of everyone, regardless of their needs or differences.