Let’s begin at the end of questioning.
All people have a place of peace and learning.
A quiet peace is acceptable to others. Disruptive peace calls for diagnosis.
When someone receives a diagnosis of Autism, Asperger’s, or ADHD, the world changes for them and others.
Diagnoses may lead to labeling; labeling may lead to stereotyping; stereotyping may lead to dismissiveness.
Everyone in this world is unique. Everyone in the world deserves to be recognized as a unique individual.
Developing and receiving diagnoses changes the world. For adults, receiving a diagnosis can be like finding a missing puzzle piece.
It may also bring relief and understanding. It may project confusion and fear. It may arouse resistance to being “labeled”.
We don’t always notice when we perceive things differently from those around us.
How does one learn he’s colorblind?
Or deaf?
Don’t worry about diagnosis. Understand yourself.
Working with others requires compromise. Compromise implies mutual effort.
Into this changing world, many people will continue to emerge who are not “normal”. Some day there will be no “normal” that will develop from formulated expectations.
Someday, “normal” will mean different and unique.
That will be a beautiful day.
We work with others in ways we cannot always perceive immediately.
We interact with others in our own ways.
What a beautiful day.
(this post is part one of a script for an upcoming video on autism, asperger’s syndrome and adhd. the preliminary version of the video may be viewed here.)
leslee hare 
I love your blog…. great post!!!
Wooohoo! Your endorsement means the world to me! [:-)] Congratulations once again to Tafari!
Great post.
No one likes being “labeled,” but our minds automatically characterize people, places, and things for easy reference. We cannot stop the “label makers,” and their efforts to pigeon-hole us, but we can choose not to worry about the labels others choose to apply to us.
If you are interested:
* http://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/we-are-not-the-labels-we-wear/
*http://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2011/01/10/res-ipsa-loquitur/
My brother was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 5 (he’s 20 now), and the doctor’s prescribed him Ritalin, and Adderall. He was on his medication for quite a number of years, and in all honesty, I really didn’t think he needed it. He was a really active kid, and had trouble focusing in school, so my parents set up a meeting with the teacher, and that’s what came of it.
I remember him being easily distracted, and quite the bundle of energy, but nothing else stood out about it.
I’ll look forward to the video being finished and available. I have a dear friend with ADHD in her family – she raised a son through it during the years that it was supposed to simply be medicated.
So I will be happy to share your blog and video with her.
Awesome post!!!
Hi, Giuliano, you are so kind to comment so often! (And thank you!) I really hope to catch up with you more this weekend… I read your post about friendship, and it’s so though-provoking… So many things come to mind, but I want to read it again before commenting. I found it incredibly powerful and true in so many ways… Have a wonderful Friday and weekend!
Beautiful and if only we can all develop this vision, the world will be richer for it… Beautiful! :-)
Thank you, Elizabeth! That’s part of why I’m blogging! I’m off to my first day at the new job, have gotten quite behind on reading and commenting… Thank you soooooo much (again) for the feature! I’ll be in touch with you again soon, once I’m parked on the sofa at my parents’ house tomorrow [;-)] Cheers!
Hello Leslee,
I am so happy that Eliz has connected us all via her Blog Hop. I love your blogs and wish you every success with your passions. I so look forward to the day when ‘different is the new normal’. Viva la difference!
I’m off to check out your other links to see if I can find more info on your beautiful artwork. :-)