I work in a field that is considered a branch of abnormal psychology. Yet the people with intellectual disabilities whom I support consider themselves to be completely normal. Even though we don't go out of our way to let people know they have a developmental disability, they still think they are normal. This is yet another way in which we need to be listening to them and valuing their feedback as to how they would like to receive services. If they think they are normal, aren't they? Is it the rest of us that impose the definition of normal? Differences are okay, as long as we recognize that we all have differences and we all are more alike than different. The people I work with are normal and it is important to them for us to recognize this.
(Inspired by a post by fellow parent/blogger Sylvia at http://faithfulmomof9.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/our-new-normal-part-two/)
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