We as humans like to categorise, to seek reason and explanation . Hence we label . We seek patterns in behaviours, in perceptions of the world , in communication styles, in challenges and strengths.

Personally Autism , ADD , AuDHD some days mean everything : identity , acceptance, self awareness and compassion. Some days they feel irrelevant. Human diversity existed long before these (and other labels we ascribe ourselves and each other). Nonetheless they allow us to understand each other. A way to connect with fellow humans – if we are willing.

I have a choice , some days personally and professionally I use my ‘label’ , others I hide it away and ‘ fit in’ . It’s exhausting but necessary to choose when I want others to have this perception of me , its a choice I can teach my own children as they grow . We have this choice as we are privileged to be able to communicate it verbally and to have an insight to the ‘neurotypical world’.

The children I teach don’t have this choice, they are perceived as ‘complex, severe’ they are diagnosed by their outward behaviours , behaviours they ultimately display when in a society that ‘others’.

Im not going to deny that as a teacher I to look for these patterns and labels, I have a brain that seeks out patterns whether I like it or not. My inner monologue is like most teachers in this way , have I come across this before ? what worked ? how do I find a way in ? However useful definitions of challenges can be It always comes back to one thing – relationships . No label, resource or past experience can achieve what a positive developmental relationship can. This is what will matter moving into a new school year , in supporting a new group. So maybe this year I curb the comparisons with the past , with past young people , schools and experiences and trust in the here and now more.

Labels are necessary, they explain, they help us understand , but only when used without judgement, preconceived ideas and not as a collection of ‘symptoms’ and ‘ behaviours’.

Labels allow support , relationship building and validation of all communication styles, but only in an environment of compassion and willingness.

We all live our own version of reality , we all experience and process the world differently. We are all human.