Does 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?
