"You don't want to label your child, it will follow them through their life." This was said to me in regards to Garrett having Autism. I've been thinking about it for a while wondering why the statement really irritated me and I've finally figured it out.
I just don't see what's wrong with "labeling" him with Asperger's. Having the delays he does has helped us get him in to some great programs. All the parents in Early Intervention are more than happy to tell you what label their child has been given because they know that once they get that label they get help. I'm labeled as having asthma and anxiety, but it also means I can get treatment for both those conditions.
My labels don't define me, they help explain me a bit and have even helped other people identify with me. A friend of mine said "these same parents would be more than happy to label their child as gifted". It's true that people only want the "positive" labels and not the ones they see as negative. But that Autism label gets Garrett help so I can't see it as a negative.
I look at this this way: having this label now will help him later in life. To the point where people may never even know or at least where it will help him function better within society.
Maybe people need to stop with not wanting to label their children (no disabilities or special needs and even no gender) and just let things happen naturally.
