I posted the following on Diary’s Facebook page last night, then decided that I wanted it to live here. I hope you’ll forgive me for reposting it, but I think it bears repeating.
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With all the talk today about language – about avoiding broad generalizations like high and low functioning to (largely inaccurately) categorize those with autism, many of you asked the question – then what is the shorthand? How can we describe our children (or ourselves) in a quick, concise way that people will understand?
All that I can tell you is what I’ve learned about my child. There is one label and one label alone that can possibly encapsulate who she is – “Brooke.”
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The perfect label!
Love you,
Mom
I had been thinking about this for days Jess. After reading this I posted this
autistic or with autism, high functioning or low functioning 2 things will always be true #1. He is Sam uniquely and deservedly so and #2. He is MY SON. nothing else really matters after that
amen, sister. amen.
Ah, yes. TRUTH.
Amen Jess! And my boy is Jay! Brilliant creative loving Jay!!! As I always say Labels are for soup cans!
Beautiful. That’s another good “category” for your sweetie.
My son is nonverbal. If someone that doesn’t know him tries to talk to him, I’ll say “He’s autistic and doesn’t talk” or I just say “he doesn’t talk.” A lot of times I just don’t want to get into a discussion about autism when I am out with the family.
LOVE this post. People are always asking me, “Where is he on the spectrum?” or “Oh, well, he looks like he must be high-functioning.” It drives me a little bit crazy, but I just always try to say, “We just look at what his individual needs are and get him the help he needs.”