Brava. You wrote this with so much nuance and insight.
Several of my close friends have neurodivergent kids whom we adore. The things people have said to them make me shudder. I am horrified by how current national conversations are emboldening less nuanced people to speak with even more confidence and self-righteousness, particularly when they have very little proximity to neurodivergent families.
Thank you, Amber. I don't know why people feel compelled to say such hurtful things, especially to children.
I try to tell myself that maybe they are having a bad day, that sometimes a stranger on the internet, that someone different than you, is the best verbal punching bag because they feel like an abstraction...
I've found that not punching back almost always softens them. Almost always reminds them that I, too, am human. That I, too, deserve dignity.
It's exhausting, it's painful, it's heartbreaking. But I feel like it's the only way forward sometimes.
This was so beautiful and graciously said. I was a special ed teacher for 6 years teaching kids with severe/ profound disabilities. I did have some kids with autism over the years and they were incredible! We have so much to learn from people with disabilities :)
Brava. You wrote this with so much nuance and insight.
Several of my close friends have neurodivergent kids whom we adore. The things people have said to them make me shudder. I am horrified by how current national conversations are emboldening less nuanced people to speak with even more confidence and self-righteousness, particularly when they have very little proximity to neurodivergent families.
Thank you, Amber. I don't know why people feel compelled to say such hurtful things, especially to children.
I try to tell myself that maybe they are having a bad day, that sometimes a stranger on the internet, that someone different than you, is the best verbal punching bag because they feel like an abstraction...
I've found that not punching back almost always softens them. Almost always reminds them that I, too, am human. That I, too, deserve dignity.
It's exhausting, it's painful, it's heartbreaking. But I feel like it's the only way forward sometimes.
This was so beautiful and graciously said. I was a special ed teacher for 6 years teaching kids with severe/ profound disabilities. I did have some kids with autism over the years and they were incredible! We have so much to learn from people with disabilities :)