In Their Own Words: Monuments Inside Minds

Swarit, a very talented writer and poet, writes today’s post from this month’s In Their Own Words series (which features posts written by nonspeakers who use S2C to communicate). He has only been spelling for a few years, but he really hit the ground running. He already has his own website dedicated to helping his “tribe” as well as a huge social media presence (all links are in his bio – show him some love!). He has also been acclaimed in the media, had his work featured in numerous publications, and is the recipient of the 2023 Neurodiversity Young Achiever of the Year award. I am grateful to Swarit and his mom Jenny (who used to be local to me) for allowing me to share his powerful words and beautiful poetry, and for inspiring so many. It his amazing to watch Swarit’s tribe grow! I hope you will join too.

My name is Swarit and I am a 12-year-old nonspeaking autistic boy. I would never have thought something like this was possible a couple of years back when I started my communication journey through spelling on a letter board. As this journey unfolded, I got more comfortable and proficient with sharing my thoughts and feelings through typing on a regular keyboard. I have a communication and regulation partner (CRP) hold the keyboard for me for now while I am working on my skills to type independently.

Swarit spelling with his CRP (Photo Credit: Jenny Padma)

It has always been a dream to share my story and perspectives more broadly so I can help accelerate the learning curve for families like ours. It is very important to me that we get voices like mine out of the prisons they are in. My life ought to move others in directions not thought possible, as I would not be here if others had not shown the way. It would be a huge disservice to my tribe if they are left to figuring out solutions within the traditional structures that have only failed them.

Swarit with his parents (Photo Credit: Jenny Padma)

Sharing a poem I wrote for my tribe:

Monuments inside minds
Now chiseled through words
A lifelong pursuit of love
Long live the power of those

Swarit Gopalan is a 12-yr old nonspeaking, autistic who lives in Palm Harbor, Florida with his family. He shares his thoughts and feelings through typing with the help of a communication and regulation partner (CRP). He likes to write about his experiences and perspectives, and he loves writing poetry. He is dedicated to helping nonspeakers and their families (his “tribe”). He has received many honors, including the 2023 Neurodivergent Young Achiever of the Year award. You can keep up with Swarit and follow his “truisms” on his website, his Facebook page, his YouTube channel, and his Instagram account.