We have been on a 5 year journey of experimentation, failings, labels, and stereotypical comments.
She's "naughty, loud, weird"... "you need to get her checked out"..... "there is something wrong with her".... "have you considered testing?......."
Glasses prescribed, grommets inserted, hearing tested, IQ testing, and behavioral optometrist. Each specialist sending detailed reports on how to help her.
But still the label "naughty, misfit, failure, loud." were how people viewed her.
Well, we just know her as Jenna.
Finally we received a diagnosis of Autism this year.
Getting it wrong for the past 5 years I asked myself these questions:
Where does she fit on the spectrum?
What have I missed?
What treatment is needed?
What do I need to change?
Have I made the problem worse?
How do I shut up the skeptics?
How do I embrace her uniqueness?
Does she need "the label"?
Putting all the rules, diagnosis, stigma, and people's comment aside, I can come to a conclusion.
Jenna is Jenna and Jenna can be Jenna and no label will change that I love my Jenna.
She is unique, different and honesty will find it difficult to fit into cultural norms for a very long time.
That diagnosis of ASD can't change.
I can't change that my daughter can't read social cues correctly.
I can't change that creating friends will continue to be a challenge for her.
I can't even change that she is the most literal person I have ever met.
But.......
If I could make a wish, dream big for Jenna it would be very simple; I want people to value her, laugh with her, and embrace her uniqueness.
She has the potential to change the world. I just pray the world will take the time to see the greatness that is my 10-year-old ASD kid.
Brisbane, Australia
