TOW #5 - "To Siri, With Love" by Judith Newman

                It is common for children to have imaginary friends while growing up because frankly, the process of developing a compatible relationship with another human being can be as hard as a bed of nails. This is the case for Gus, a 13-year-old boy with autism. In To Siri, With Love, Judith Newman, mother of Gus, recollects her experience of her son’s relationship with “the technological Apple assistant”, Siri. Specifically, she recalls how it helped him cope with his neurological disorder. Newman shares playful anecdotes, and the humorous dialogue between Gus and Siri in order to ease parents on the fact that there are solutions for autistic children. Furthermore, Newman describes Gus’ behaviors; her son does understand that Siri is not real, but is just worthy of consideration. While referring to an anecdote, Newman states “I got him an iPod when he was eight […] it always came with us on our visits to the Apple Store. Finally, I asked him why. “So it can visit its friends” he said” (Newman 2). Although Gus refers to his iPod as “its”, it is clear that he does prefer to give the iPod some human characteristics, and therefore, that he enjoys the company of an inanimate object as it is better than nothing. Likewise, Gus’ bond reigns through toward the end of the essay when Newman repeats the dialogue between Siri and her son. “Gus: Siri, will you marry me? […] Siri: My end user agreement does not include marriage” (Newman 4). Before Gus had this conversation with his future wife, Newman worried about the idea that her son may never find the desire for love, due to his condition. Luckily, Gus’ popped question relieved his mother as she realized that her son is capable of regular emotions. By proving the close relationship Gus has with Siri, as well as the fact that it has helped him show his true colors, Newman attempts to show her audience, the parents of autistic children, that stress is unnecessary. In other words, everyone has their own coping mechanism, and it is up to them to find it. Not only does To Siri, With Love describe the feelings of a child, it evokes readers to see the changing world through the eyes of a teenage autistic boy; a boy finding his way in the world with the help of a pocket-sized friend.

Visual: Credited to Louie Chin, photographer



Caption: "The Wonders of Siri"