The Young Adult Paradox

When people think of adults with developmental disabilities, they picture individuals who need help in most or all aspects of life. For instance, they may picture a young adult who lives in an assisted living facility and works in a sheltered environment. On the flip side, when someone pictures a highly intelligent adult, they envision someone who breezes through life with straight As in university, volunteers building houses in Africa, all while working full time. For adults with dual exceptionalities, like myself the reality is somewhere in the middle with aspects of both of these descriptions being true.

I am entering my Master’s in September. My research collaborators and I should have a paper published this year. I have finished the draft for a 30,000 word juvenile fiction book that I plan to submit to an agent. I had a cumulative 3.5 GPA in university with my psychology marks all being in the A range.

However, if I travel to an unfamiliar route, I need someone to accompany me the first few times and help me form a verbal map in my head in order to be able to navigate the place independently. I have trouble following a conversation of more than three people as all their voices seem to meld together. Figuring out a physical task such as how to operate a barbeque requires a lot of practice. You get the idea by now, I think.

There are plenty of resources available to children with difficulties and for adults with more severe disabilities. I have received a lot of coaching and mentorship from family and friends. However, I wonder about the high functioning adults who do not receive this sort of support. I am fortunate enough to live in a province which provides financial support for many individuals like the ones described above, but I wonder if most people in this category receive the chance to reach their full potential. As I progress in my career and get opportunities to do research and public speaking, I will speak for those who weren’t given the chance I was.