I am a parent, wife, school counselor, and special education graduate student.
I believe ALL children and/or their caretakers know the most about their own struggles in this thing we call life. I further believe that everyone should be provided with comprehensive knowledge of ANY psychological, cognitive, or developmental testing that is recommend by education, mental health, and other social service institutions. Information that is easy to understand and that is readily accessible (without having to ask for it) is the only way to may make informed decisions as to how these LABEL may impact their children or even their own lives.
I do not claim to have all of the answers or that I am the guru of all things that may impact our education, emotional well being, or social adjustment.
However, as a licensed school counselor I have the "insider scoop" as to how the labels referring to learning disabilities, mental health disorders, and developmental delays impact a child's education. It is my ultimate desire to create a system of change where full disclosure and informed parental/personal consent are accepted as a Civil Rights and not an inconvenience for institutions that provide educational, psychological, and other supportive services/institutions.
Labels are not all bad. They are an institutional construct that not only allows people to receive support and services but can also come with profound life long implications and lowered educational expectations. These lowered expectations become ingrained in our perspective of life and impairs our ability to believe that we can achieve great things!
