what to presume

Many advocates for autism recommend presuming intellect and that is good advice, but still doesn’t always cover the spectrum of things that should be presumed about people with autism. I think it’s just as, or more important, to presume a desire to learn, a desire to understand, a desire to communicate,a desire to love and a desire to behave and cooperate. When my daughter is given the right supports she would much prefer to learn everything she can about everything, get along with everyone, and do what she is told. She would never be oppositional just to give me trouble, she does it if she’s scared or confused. She would never refuse to learn something if it was presented at her level, modified appropriately, offered multidemenionally and in an interesting way, without already having very bad experiences with it in the past. If everyone could see the intellengent, gentle, kind, loving, cooperative child I see- or at least could presume those things in her-she would have a better chance at building relationships, learning, blossoming, and reaching her full potential.