That is a word I have heard, read, used, heard, read, used...more than I ever thought I would. It seems to be the politically correct way to compare children with special needs to other children.
"Compared to typical children, Kamryn is..."
"Typically you would expect a child to..."
"It's not typical to..."
I am not sure I like the word. I understand why it is used to compare development. However, I question what we as a society consider typical. Before I had Kamryn, I may have not questioned typical. But, things are different for me now. I see things from a different perspective and I feel different too.
I personally don't think I want to be considered typical. It seems so, boring :). I would rather be considered unique, special, diverse or eclectic.
In my own children, I am able to see (more clearly than I ever did before) their unique personalities, likes, dislikes, skills and challenges. They are individually amazing, beautiful and different.
Speaking of typical, this is what we do after school...homework, is that typical? :)
This is not typical: All of my children sitting still at the same time,
TOGETHER, watching something they all agreed on!!!
Life is not typical, we each have our own to live. Embrace it, enjoy it, celebrate it!
Down syndrome awareness, pass it on.
I really get you on the typical thing. I don't even consider myself typical. I always been "cut from a different cloth" according to my brother ;-)
ReplyDeleteLook at your beautiful family... miss you! Much more than I typically miss other bloggers ;-)
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