If there was one word I would get rid of forever – it would be that word ‘normal’ – Glasgow dad – parent of disabled child

Why do some people just love others not to be ‘normal’ – to be broken, bad, mad, wrong?

Profound malfunctions, subversive behaviour, the pathological can so easily be located in others who are different. Differences emerging from disability, culture, gender, sexuality, behaviour and reputation.

These apostles of abnormality, these ways of approaching others in thoughts and actions are close bed fellows with the forces of segregation and exclusion. Some of us are paid to be such apostles, others are just drawn to such ways through life experiences.

Who belongs with us? Surely not them? There must be a better more special or secure place for them to go and be incarcerated, treated, fixed or cured? Many people of all ages are ‘othered.’

He won’t sit still that long!

 How often do we hear those words when we describe a PATH or a MAP meeting likely to last up to 2 hours? This is particularly true of young people labelled with Autistic spectrum conditions (ASC), or attention deficit hyperactivity difficulties (ADHD) but often applied to those with social disadvantage, hyper-vigilant, learning or behaviour challenges. Often, they are boys but not always.

Previous meeting experiences and observations of the focus child in classrooms and other challenging situations lead those who know him best to suggest he has a short attention span and an inability to sit through a planning session.