Sunday, 14 March 2010

  • Damaged and Autism in the Same Sentence?

    If I hear the word damaged with the words autism and special needs kids used in the same sentence again I am going to scream. People aren’t damaged.  Things can be damaged, such as fabrics, merchandise of any sort, but not humans with a heart.  People may need help, have issues and problems, but damaged seems rather inappropriate, harsh and without feeling.


    Words are very powerful and can make or break what you are trying to say.  I believe if you want to get your point across to a parent choose your words wisely and more tenderly, and keep the word damaged away from our kids.

    What do you think?

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Comments (4)

  • TheCaffeinatedKnitter@xanga

    It depends.  I think a person can be brain damaged, and this would be all right to say, because that's talking about a part of their body, not who they are as an individual.  I believe that parts of my child (deep within her brain) were damaged by vaccines and other environmental toxins... but SHE is not damaged.  Does that make sense?
  • amaliastarr

    Absolutely, you get it! If we separate the disorder from our children like you have done they will be much better off. Our children are not their disorder, disability, or limitations. Thank you for your comment, and I wish you all the best!   @Morningstarrising@xanga - 
  • Rainbow

    I know what you mean, words are very powerful! So easy to say the wrong thing. My daughter is very sensitive and takes such comments very much to heart. It's a brutal world for the sensitive sometimes. Everyone has some sort of baggage that they carry, it's just more obvious with transparent people. 

    Great blog, thanks 
  • amaliastarr

    So true, my son is extremely sensitive too.  It is tough for him to say the right words and for him to hear hurtful words. But with each passing day he seems to be getting stronger and stronger. His determination to fit in the world somewhere, somehow is amazing. I appreciate your comment!  @Rainbow - 

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  • amaliastarr
    • From: amaliastarr
    • Name: Amalia Starr
    • About Me: I am a mother to an autistic adult son, a motivational speaker, an independent living coach, and author of Raising Brandon. I specialize in supporting parents of children with autism and special needs through workshops, seminars, and private sessions. Utilizing a background in sales and marketing, I was the host of a cable show dedicated to parents who had children with special needs. My results-based approach focuses on empowering both parents and their children to reach their full potential. Starr's newly released book, Raising Brandon, is an autobiographical account of her struggle to raise her son in a world where autism was not understood. The book follows Starr's life from the birth of her youngest son, his diagnosis with autism, intractable epilepsy, severe learning disorders, and her goal to help him live his dream of independence. THERE IS HOPE! www.AmaliaStarrSpeakerAutism.com
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