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?