WORDS MATTER: Differences Not Disabilities

Head's Message by Dr. Jenn Milam

"I see the world in a different way than most people, and for me, that’s been a positive thing." - Daymond John, Entrepreneur

As you’ll read and notice throughout THE NEST this week, we reference the start of October and the start of Learning Disabilities Differences Awareness Month. I thought this would be a perfect time to write to you, our parents, and our community, about the importance of reframing and actively working to shift our language in the learning different realms of education and life. While no word is, in and of itself bad, some words are indeed better at capturing the spirit and intent of a feeling, a setting, or a lived experience. Words, in fact, matter.

Since its inception, Winston has been a school that accepts, nurtures, and works diligently to serve young people who learn differently. Even before “neurodivergent” was a common word in educational literature and part of our mainstream lexicon, Winston teachers were serving and learning with (and from!)  students who think, create, and dream beyond the traditional conceptions of schooling. And yes, while society, the medical and therapeutic fields of care, and even education have used “disability” and “disorder” to identify, diagnose, and provide care for our young people, at Winston, we choose, intentionally and emphatically, to see our students as thoughtful writers, dynamic creators, budding musicians, young scientists, voracious readers, and talented artists. That does not mean that we don’t acknowledge their various challenges and teach them to understand how they learn and what they need to be successful, but rather than seeing those challenges as insurmountable roadblocks, we see them as inspiration to chart a different course, sometimes the scenic route, to the end of the course. 

The term “disability” or “disorder”  has not always been, nor is it now, entirely bad or harmful. In fact, there are societal and legal protections, treatments, and intervention supports, and programs that are specifically designed to meet the needs of young people who have received a diagnosis. From a developmentally responsive perspective, using the terms employed in medical or therapeutic settings can be helpful - often providing clarity, specificity, and targeted information for planning interventions or support. And yet, as a society, we are still evolving in our understanding of neurodivergence and how the wide range of iterations of cognitive ability, learning styles, and personal characteristics of the human brain manifest themselves in daily life. And because we are hard-wired toward negative bias, words like “disability” or “disorder” garner a negative perception, attitude, and yes, often stereotype that can be hurtful to our young people. For that reason, Winston, and other like-minded schools with comparable missions, have purposefully shifted to acknowledging that in the range of teaching and learning, there is not dis-ablity, but difference, in how we receive, interact with, and share our understanding with the world around us. 

Difference recognizes variability. It honors individual experience and dignity. Difference acknowledges we are all not the same, but doesn’t value some over others. Difference is a marker of the uniqueness of beauty. It appreciates that we are all human, with a variety of habits, needs, and characteristics. Learning differently doesn’t mean a student is incapable of learning, it means their path to understanding is a little more complex. And while it seems trite or overly simplistic, to be different is acceptable, maybe even “cool.”

And so, we - as a school, a community, a group of practitioners and educators - believe that words matter, and we are proud to serve your very bright students who learn differently. 

My wish is that each of you, as parents, families, and caregivers, find pride and joy in the journey with your young person. Every child, in every corner of the world, is different and unique. Yours learns differently. Their brain is a beautiful puzzle and what they do and how they learn offers a remarkable window into who they are now, and who they will be. We are so lucky to share this moment with them, and with you - together!