Boxed in
Failing a systemised schooling process told me I couldn’t learn. To feel ashamed about having to teach myself. It robs you of confidence and you may not learn how to have self confidence or feel self worth at all.
The problem is perception and definition from what I can see. Trying to define a person as one thing and their worth based on other people’s opinions. We have a planet full of diversity but the concept that people are inherently different still seems to be a sticking point. What compounds that further is this need to define someone by what’s common for others.
I haven’t done anywhere near enough research but my guess would be that it isn’t uncommon for autistic and neurodivergent people to be born sooner and take longer to develop.
So what if that is the case, well it would stop fear mongering with headlines like this posted on “Motherly” 8 days ago “Babies born before 39 weeks may have a higher risk of developing ADHD according to new study”. It would also mean that autistic and neurodivergent children wouldn’t be put in a school environment before they were ready for it. That they wouldn’t be told they are slow, or behind or not making an effort.
Defining people in my opinion is exactly how we ended up in this position, we don’t need more labels and boxes. I use my labels to try and help create understanding for others, but personally I take the information I need from it and after that point I don’t need the label. In fact all I ever needed was to understand that I’m different, and I only got that chance about 2 years ago.
We don’t need a normal, just to understand the collective diversity of humans and humanity.
All my best and love
Ross
Words – Ross A Fraser
Graphic Design App – Canva
#mentalhealthadvocate #together #community #actuallyautistic #autismacceptance