When Labels Hurt

Do you remember when you or your child was first diagnosed with ADHD? Were you surprised by the diagnosis? Did the words sting you ears and burn your tongue? Or were you actually relieved, knowing that there was finally an understandable reason for the hyperactivity, impulsivity and/or distractibility?

For many, getting the diagnosis explains the reasons behind poor school or work performance; being disorganized; not finishing projects; and many other difficulties associated with having ADHD.

But for others, there can be a feeling of horror and dread. "ADHD? Does that mean I'm brain damaged or crazy?"

Labels can be damaging. They can cause people to see only the label, not the person. Stereotypes are often ingrained in people's minds which can be hard to shake off. When faced with a new employee who openly shares his ADHD, uninformed employers and co-workers might assume the new person won't be able to hold his own at work.

Being labeled can cause individuals to feel just that- like a label. There are concerns, and often valid ones, that others will not look *beyond* the label and see the whole person, with all the wonderful attributes and gifts everyone has to offer, regardless of a psychiatric or neurological condition.

Yet, labels can be good, too. They help us understand and accept the individual's struggles. Instead of being called lazy, we know that people with ADHD often have trouble initiating activities, projects and chores. It may "look" like lazy behavior, but it isn't. ADHD is a label that explains a collection of behaviors.

Labels can also protect people with disabilities. Laws are now set up that are supposed to enable all individuals to be protected so that they are not discriminated against (though admittedly, we still have a long way to go). They also are used to provide people with medical insurance coverage and government assistance. Without the label, these would be rejected and many would go without needed medications, medical help and more.

Today's SharePost topic was triggered by an incident that happened a few days ago. Since I also advocate for children with special needs, I belong to lots of different special education internet lists. The other day, my  inbox was filled with irate emails about a move that was just recently released. Tropic Thunder, starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Tom Cruise Robert Downey Jr. and other big celebrity names, has caused quite a stir in the disabilities community. And rightfully so.

Throughout the movie, the archaic word "retard" is used...and in horribly derogatory ways.

Mike McLaughlin, a disability rights advocate and a parent of a child with an intellectual disability said: "Anyone who doesn't think this movie will influence the attitudes and behaviour of young people toward people with disabilities hasn't been in a high school or around young kids recently. As soon as they leave the theatre, kids are quoting movie lines and acting out scenes as well as the actors did. They won't care that this movie is meant to be a parody of Hollywood's excesses."