Labels

Okay, so your child has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.  This will help you access services that your child desperately needs.  It’s a good thing, because it will help you help them.

That said, I am about to shock you…

I don’t know what ‘level’ of autism Michael has. I see people on social media sharing their child’s ‘level’ and I am profoundly un-curious as to what it means. It wasn’t a thing when he was diagnosed (or at least we weren’t exposed to it back then) and I could not care one bit less.

Here’s why:

I know my kid.  He is high functioning on love and joy and fun.  He is medium functioning on independence on self-help skills and he is low functioning on communication.  He’s a complex dude. I’ve learned (and continue to learn) what he needs and I work like crazy to make sure he gets it.

I saw this the other day and it captured why I don’t think the labels (beyond the main diagnosis) help all that much.

The rest of the world will be looking to put labels on your child to either deny them the help they need or to prevent them from participating in things they should be allowed to try.  Keep advocating for their whole selves, despite labels placed on them by others.