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Does Johnny have a disorder, is Johnny labeled with a disorder, or is Johnny defined by his disorder?

yes-noDoes Johnny have a disorder, is Johnny labeled with a disorder, or is Johnny defined by his disorder? This is not simply an inconsequential, semantic question.  It is a core question that can humanize (or dehumanize) a person.

I am, first and foremost, a person, who also happens to function as a husband, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, a cousin, a friend, a psychologist, a businessman, and even a (bit of a) handy-man.  Although I am most proud of my roles as husband and father, this should not negate or minimize my other roles.

Are you a mother, or a person who functions as a mother (and many, many other things)?  Who among us has just one role?  Most adults would find that very suggestion offensive.

Yet, when we speak about children, some over-generalized phrases freely roll off the tongue:  “Johnny is an autistic child” and “Suzy has ADHD.”  Isn’t it true that Johnny and Suzy are, above all else, children?