In today’s poster on autism awareness, I have presented a quote by Dr. Seuss. “Why fit in when you are born to stand out”? More than a quote, it is the title of a blogpost.
This is a very powerful statement. We have a perception of “normal”, and we want our children to be seen as “normal”. Anything which is not “normal” is considered as “wrong”.
I have been hearing the term “NORMAL” in the context of referring to people other than those having special needs. And those with special needs are referred to as “SPECIAL”. Even I too used to refer that way. After working closely with few individuals with special needs during past few years, I start wondering who is “NORMAL” and who is “SPECIAL”.
People who always worry about what others will think of them, are they “NORMAL”? The “SPECIAL” ones never bother about what others think of them.
People who treat others based on their religion, cast, class in society, are they “NORMAL”? The “SPECIAL” ones have no idea about religion, caste and creed.
People who treat others with biases, are they “NORMAL”? The “SPECIAL” ones love everyone the same way.
People who consider some types of work as ‘low’, are they “NORMAL”? The “SPECIAL” ones consider all types of work with same respect. We learn ‘Dignity of labour’ from them.
People who impose etiquettes originated from certain cultures, are thy “NORMAL”? The “SPECIAL” ones behave I n a way what they are comfortable with. As far as it doesn’t hurt others physically or their behaviour doesn’t become vulgar, why should we force them to behave in a manner in which a certain group of people feel ‘correct’. I have heard some people saying this ‘correct’ as “socially acceptable”.
People with autism, look at the world and different objects in the world through their own eyes and behave in a manner what they feel right and comfortable with. They naturally don’t follow any “socially acceptable” etiquettes. Isn’t a bit too much to force them or trying to ‘fit’ them, thereby snatching from them the opportunity to “STAND OUT”?
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