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Kathleen Cawley's avatar

HI Samia

Thank you for this great article. I like to make a conscious pivot between the language I use with schools and the language I use when thinking about and talking with my child. Schools are legally required (even if they don't follow through) to respond to disabilities but not to neurodiversity. So with schools I use the language of disabilities.

But then I consciously and intentionally pivot to language of diversity in my parenting. You're right that the power of a diagnosis can be liberating. However, on a day to day basis, I like to think of my child as the perfect manifestation of themselves. This allows me to simply see them and love them for who they are. Which is what we all want.

As for the dip sh*ts in office right now. Wow, we just got to keep holding on and supporting each other and our kids.

Hugs,

Kathleen

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Samia's avatar

Yes, this is so important that sometimes we need to operate within certain language frameworks in order to get our children (or perhaps ourselves) support. Thank you for this!

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Kathleen Cawley's avatar

Yes, and it goes both ways. A certain language with certain people to access the support we need. And a certain language we use with ourselves to see our self and others in all their unique and beautiful complexity.

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James Bailey's avatar

“The truth is, we are all uniquely HUMAN. And we are all diverse. There is no normal, in my opinion.”

Facts as my kids say. Thank you for putting it so simply Samia.

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Samia's avatar

Facts. Yes!

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