Differences should not be seen as deficits!
When you look at a child with a (dis)ability, what do you see? Do you (consciously or unconsciously) define them first by their weaknesses?
What about when you are with family members, teachers or school staff? What do you think they see? How do you think they define your child? Do you think they let your child’s challenges overshadow the other parts of them?
So what is a “disability”? A disability can be defined as:
“a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions”
Let’s think about this terminology with respect to the term “learning disability”. Do the words “impaired”, “interfered with” or “limited” feel like they are a good description of your child in all the wonderful and amazing ways they learn and function? Does it feel like this label is contributing to negative perceptions about your child?
We much prefer the term “learning difference” when describing a child with different learning needs. This language provides a much more holistic view on the child’s learning journey. It moves us away from focussing only on what the child may struggle with and allows us to see that they are still a child full of potential and possibility, but they just learn in a DIFFERENT way.
So what can we do about these perceptions that are out there to define a person first by their weaknesses? How do we create more acceptance and more understanding?
Advocate: Learn to advocate for yourself and for others. Differences should not be seen as deficits. Everyone has the right to have the tools to learn in a way that works for them.
Own who you are: Be proud of who you are, and be willing to share it with others. The more we understand, the more we can move to destigmatize learning differences. Voice your reality and share it with others to help them understand.
Focus on strengths: Look for people’s strengths - recognize them first for the incredible gifts they bring to the world. Seek out the things that make each of us awesome.
Celebrate differences: Understand that we ALL learn in different ways, and that is an incredible thing! We would miss out on the unique traits of differently wired people if we all learned the same.
Always use person-first language: It starts with our words - don’t define people by their (dis)abilities: don’t use “Dyslexic”, they are a “Person who has dyslexia”.
Shift: Help with the SHIFT - to not see people AS their disability. You can do this in simple steps by sharing, educating and learning.
Let’s all work together to see people as MORE. There is so much incredible potential within all of us, let’s not overshadow that by defining people other than in a way that is accepting, uplifting and encouraging….and gives them credit for ALL of the parts that make them who they are.
P.S. If you agree and you want to learn more - join our SYT Learn calls or replays! Or join our emails list!!