Too often, behaviors associated with developmental disabilities are misunderstood, leading to stigma and misconceptions. We invite you to share your true stories to help educate the public and foster empathy and understanding. Your experiences can illuminate the challenges and triumphs faced by individuals and families, creating a powerful dialogue that promotes acceptance and inclusivity. Together, let’s break down barriers and celebrate the unique journeys within our community.
There are two ways to contribute:
Stories
“Wahhh!”
The screeching from the living room interrupted the chatting moms, all of whom dashed to check on the infant napping on the sofa. There stood my 5-year-old son, staring at the crying baby, frozen in place. The baby’s mother quickly scooped up her child while the other moms looked puzzled.
“What happened?” I demanded, expecting an answer to the unspoken questions in the air.
My son, who had just gotten off his bus from a special education preschool, calmly replied, “I want to watch TV.”
Before I could formulate my next question, the other moms quickly interjected: “It’s late, we should head home now.”
Feeling numb, I ushered everyone out the door with an apologetic smile.
After much consideration, we discovered that he thought he could not watch TV if the baby was sleeping around him. To watch TV, his solution was to wake the baby up.
Quotes
“Every behavior has a reason behind it. If something seems unusual, it might be because you lack the knowledge to fully understand it.”