"In 1989, being identified as special needs was akin to being given a leprosy bell or being marked with a cross for the plague. It was a binary system. You were either normal or you were special needs."
"I resisted, and my parents even more. They thought it ridiculous and expressed that sentiment to the school. I never went to the special needs class. But the damage was done."
"For years I just had a feeling of, well, unexplained difference. I was an outlier, struggling to fit in without understanding the reasons behind my behavior."
At 14, a student faced challenges starting a new school and was labeled for special needs by teachers, leading to feelings of rejection. In 1989, being identified as special needs carried a significant stigma. Despite resistance from the student and parents, the label impacted self-perception. Years later, the student discovered a dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD, which clarified the feelings of difference experienced throughout school. The lack of understanding about special needs at the time contributed to a long-lasting sense of isolation.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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