Why I Believe Voting Is Essential for My Adult Daughter With Autism

Although my daughter on the autism spectrum is 25, she has never voted in an election. Hopefully, the 2016 presidential election will be the first of many elections where Samantha will make her voice heard. Like many other parents of young adults on the spectrum, I have spent long years teaching Samantha millions of everyday activities so she could live as independently as possible. Somehow, politics and voting never made it onto my list of essentials — until now. Given the choice of voting for a Republican candidate who denigrates women, minorities and people with disabilities, or Hillary Clinton — who actually has proposed programs to support adults with autism — how can Samantha not vote?

My daughter’s future is at stake, and it’s my job as a parent to help her understand how to make the best and most informed choices. During past elections, I’ve already tried explaining the differences between Republicans and Democrats in the most basic terms, but Samantha’s eyes had glazed over. Nevertheless, she is able to dutifully repeat back to me that Republicans generally want less government, lower taxes and stand against abortion while Democrats generally believe in more government, higher taxes and support a woman’s right to choose. However, even these simplified differences between our political parties don’t seem to hold much real meaning for Samantha. Abstract concepts can be extremely difficult for my daughter to master, and she doesn’t seem motivated to persevere through the hard work necessary to understand unless she knows the abstract idea will connect with her own concrete experience in a meaningful way. When it comes to voting in an election, I believe the moment when Samantha needs to understand is now, fall of 2016. In the upcoming election, there will be no gray areas for people with disabilities like my daughter.

After more than a year of unsuccessfully trying to secure a competent, government-approved life skills (“community habilitation”) worker for Samantha, I have taken on this job myself. Today’s life skills lesson included helping Samantha register to vote. Thankfully, registering is a simple computer exercise. But the tricky part was explaining why? Why register? Why bother straining to understand the pros and cons of presidential candidates? Why is the outcome of this particular election important, and how will it impact Samantha?

Right now the answer to those questions seems simple. For Samantha and others with disabilities, registering as Democrats can be a form of self-advocacy, and voting for Hillary Clinton is, to me, the only way to go. My daughter and her peers need help becoming independent, finding meaningful work and safe-but-dignified housing options. Living at home with her parents two years out of college, with no job and no prospect of finding a job, has turned an abstract concept (the importance of training and employing people with disabilities) into a concrete reality that my daughter grasps completely and fervently yearns to change. Now, like never before, Samantha knows she needs society’s support to fulfill her potential as an adult. A candidate like Hillary Clinton will at least try to support Samantha’s needs and promote her inclusion in the world. The opposition would cut existing programs and funding for the disabled, either ignoring or excluding this vulnerable minority.

Here’s my personal observation of the current political situation as it relates to Samantha and other adults with autism: Hillary Clinton wants to help you. She cares about you and others with disabilities. Clinton has proposed programs to help you make the transition from school to work. Donald Trump doesn’t want to spend the money to help you. He doesn’t appear to care enough about you and others with disabilities. He will not work to include you in the neurotypical adult world. Helping people with disabilities costs money, and he wants to save money.

My daughter and other adults with disabilities have grown up with a bone-deep understanding of bullies. What they may not yet realize is that some bullies (like Trump) never grow up. Some bullies remain self-centered and heartless, even as they acquire wealth and power. People with disabilities need to pay attention, because a big bully is trying to come into power now. Powerful bullies can most definitely hurt people. But if you see a bully who’s running for president, you can certainly cast your vote against him, exercising your own power to push back.

I believe young adults on the spectrum can learn many important life lessons by participating in this election. First and foremost, voting is an opportunity to exercise and express independence as an adult. Voting is a valuable opportunity for those who are often marginalized to make their voices heard. Further, participation in the political process can help people with communication issues feel included in important conversations. Even a simple political discussion can be an opportunity for Samantha to become passionate and enthusiastic without being rude or offensive. As she learns to think about what’s best for her and the world, she is asking more questions and becoming a more active listener. Her vocabulary is increasing, and maybe she will begin to better distinguish truth from lies. I’d like to see the day when my daughter comes to realize that people who disagree with us are not necessarily wrong, but they may simply hold a different perspective. I hope Samantha will realize that sometimes the best and only solution in extreme arguments is to agree to disagree.

Editor’s note: This story reflects an individual’s experience and is not an endorsement from The Mighty. We believe in sharing a variety of perspectives from our community.

Image via Contributor.

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