Siena was diagnosed with autism and dyslexia in her early teens. Being bullied at school she challenged herself to campaign for neurodiversity. At the age of thirteen, she launched a website QLmentoring.com for empowering young people with autism and learning differences. Here she shares her personal experiences of overcoming challenges and offers

Can you tell us how you are mentoring young people with special educational needs?S: I am autistic, dyslexic and dyspraxic. I also have ADHD. When I was 13, I decided to learn more about my conditions. When I searched the Internet for information about my conditions, I found that all the information and resources were directed at the parents of kids with special education needs (SEN). Much to my surprise, I was unable to find any information or resources specifically designed and written for young people with SEN. I decided to change this by creating my own website specifically focused at mentoring and supporting kids like me. I designed the website to be colourful, youthful and fun, whilst also providing practical and useful information.
On my website, I share some of the tricks and tips that I discovered or created in order to overcome some of the challenges caused by my learning differences. My hope is that students find the information on my website informative and helpful. I also want my website to highlight to young people that being autistic or having a learning difference can be an advantage, and that thinking differently and seeing the world from a different perspective has many benefits. For example, approximately 35% of people who own and run their own business in the United States are dyslexic. The reason dyslexic people are so successful in business is because they tend to be more resourceful, creative and innovative, which is a huge advantage when starting and running a business.
I believe in putting the ability into disability. Having a learning difference or disability does not define who you are, and does not have to limit or curtail your dreams. We have many strengths, and with the right support and resources, we can make huge contributions to society. After all, we are in great company. Mozart, Einstein, Darwin, Steve Jobs and Emily Dickinson, made huge contributions to society and are all believed to have been autistic.

What is the idea behind the Neurodiversity Celebration Week campaign?S: Much too often, schools try to help autistic students and students with learning differences by focusing on addressing their challenges and weaknesses. This can be a bit demoralizing, because it can feel as if we are broken and in need of being fixed. Although it is important to support our challenges and weaknesses, it is also important that we be seen as more than just what we struggle with and are bad at.
The idea behind Neurodiversity Celebration Week is that I want to flip the narrative so that schools also recognize and celebrate our strengths and talents. Neurodivergent individuals have many talents, including being creative, innovative, thinking outside the box, problem solvers and skilled at pattern recognition. Although these skills are rarely valued in the classroom, they are a huge advantage in the work place. It is estimated that 35% of entrepreneurs in the United States are dyslexic and that a majority of Silicon Valley is autistic. I believe it’s important for neurodivergent students to know that irrespective of the struggles they face at school, in the right environment, they can be incredibly successful and can still have ambitions and hopes and dreams, just like everyone else.
I also wanted Neurodiversity Celebration Week to challenge and change the negative perceptions and stereotypes that can lead to neurodivergent students being bullied and that can prevent neurodivergent students from reaching their potential. Finally, I also wanted Neurodiversity Celebration Week to transform the way that neurodivergent students perceive themselves. The first ever Neurodiversity Celebration Week took place in May 2019. It had a huge impact. Over 350 schools and 317,000 students across the UK and abroad took part.

You are about to release your book, "The Spectrum Girl's Survival Guide". Can you tell us about it?S: I’ve written a book for autistic teen girls titled “The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide: How To Be Awesome and Autistic.” The book is being published by Jessica Kingsley Publishing and will be out in March 2020. It will have a foreword by the awesome Dr Temple Grandin and will be illustrated by Rebecca Burgess, an autistic artist. It was important to me that everyone that work on the book be female and autistic. The book is the type of book I wish had been available when I was growing up. Unfortunately, the books I found were written with autistic boys in mind or written by non-autistic adults. In the survival guide, I cover topics that are unique to autistic girls, such as masking, managing sensory issues and social anxiety. I also provide information and advice about how to navigate social media, dating, friendships, managing emotions and many other relevant topics.

What challenges did you face during your school years? How did you face these challenges?S: I’ve faced many, many challenges during my school years. By far the biggest challenge that I’ve faced is being bullied. I’ve been bullied at school for most of my life. I’ve had to leave three schools due to bullying and was even home-educated for a few months. Being bullied is a very traumatic and isolating experience. However, when I learned that approximately 75% of autistic students report being bullied, I felt I had to do something to change this. One of the reasons I launched Neurodiversity Celebration Week is to encourage students to view neurodivergent students from a different perspective. I believe that addressing some of the misconceptions and stereotypes that students have about individuals who are autistic or have learning differences, will help students to be more empathetic and understanding towards people who are different.

What are your other hobbies?S: I am a physics and maths nerd. I was fascinated by these subjects from an early age and was really fortunate to have parents who fostered my passions. Since the age of 10, I spent my summers attended physics and math programs at Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes and Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. When I was 15, I spent two weeks studying theoretical physics at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Canada and had a one week physics work placement at Cambridge University’s Cavendish Laboratory. I am currently in the process of university applications and have already been offered a placed to study materials science at Imperial College.

What do you like to do when you are with your family/friends?S: I really like to travel. I’ve been fortunate to have gone on some awesome school trips, including spending two weeks in China and one week in Italy. I also love to go to concerts, the theatre and to the cinema. I recently saw Hamilton, a play I had heard so much about and was dying to see.

What is your suggestion for parents/families to empower children with disabilities?S: Compassion and understanding. Much too often, people assume the worst and jump to conclusions. I think it is important for parents to remember that spending the day in an environment where you are required to use skills that are much more challenging for you than they are for everyone else, is exhausting and can be demoralizing. No one likes to fail or to be mediocre. It takes a lot of courage and strength of character to keep trying and to persevere. I think teachers and parents should acknowledge this once in a while.

Can you give tips/advice for those in our community who want to focus on their strengths and talent?S: My advice is to find something you’re passionate about, something you really believe in. Whether it be the environment, endangered animals, gender equality or any other cause that is close to your heart. Take little steps. Start with your family and friends. Consider approaching a teacher who may share your passion. Can you have a bake sale to raise money for a charity that supports a cause you are passionate about? Can you take part in a sponsored walk? Never be afraid to ask for help. You’ll find that most adults will be very keen to encourage and help you. My experience has been that the first step is the hardest. But once you are on the path, each step becomes easier. Before long, you realise that you are starting to make a difference and that you are bringing about change.

Any special message for our community?S: I am naturally, quiet and reserved. I also have social anxiety. I get nervous when speaking in front of large crowds, especially in front of people I don’t know. However, since I’m very passionate about reducing bullying in schools and I’m am passionate about changing the myths and misconceptions people have about autism and learning differences, I decided to challenge myself and use my voice to bring about positive change. I believe that sometimes the things we find the hardest and the most challenging, are the things that are most worth doing. To quote Greta Thunberg: “No one is too small to make a difference.” So, if you’re passionate about something, don’t be discouraged and don’t underestimate yourself.