Just differently wired

Did you know that autism spectrum disorder and mental health conditions are closely associated? Accordingly, some neurodivergency like ASD, ADHD and behavioral disorders have comorbidity with depression, anxiety, etc.

Some children with autism spectrum disorder, also grow up with psychosocial disabilities because of certain failed social interactions and capabilities. Both neurodivergency and mental health are also different and separate from the person as opposed to the condition. What do I mean?

When your child has autism, it is improper to call him or her as autistic. It’s against common sense not to separate the person away from the condition. Children with autism are now called neuro-divergent because their minds are differently wired.

The same thing goes for those with Schizophrenia, you cannot use the word to refer to a person as Schizophrenic because the person and the disorder are entirely two different things.

You cannot call a person as depressed but as a person having depressive disorder. Depression is a state of sadness while a depressed person may mean an encompassing sad circumstance. We have to look at people not because of their disability but rather because of their ability. That’s why oftentimes, persons with disabilities are and should be called differently-abled persons. Perhaps the Philippines is way behind these knowledge of terms that are more inclusive.

I recently joined the Ausome North Summit by the parents, guardians and caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Ausome North Group is a Benguet based group willing to go an extra mile to create a brighter future for neuro-divergent kids. It is spearheaded by Dean Cuanso who is a self-made entrepreneur and photographer. He has two sons who are on the autism spectrum disorder.

I joined the group because neuro-divergent children are close to my heart and most of them, I don’t want to see growing up discriminated against because of their individuality. I worry about them because I can see how my parents worried about me the same way as their parents worried about them. To grow up with such conditions needs care and attention not only from one person but the family and the community. I also realize how difficult their circumstances are, especially with the medicines and all. It’s a life-long healing often challenged by learning and development. They have to follow certain daily routines to make it through. To divert them from these routines would be detrimental to them. Just as routines are helpful too for mental health conditions.

The brain is always able but it may be differently wired. What is important is that it is wired – capable of living and savoring the beauty of life. Everyone is unique.

I hope we let go of stigma and be as unique as we can possibly be.