#Developmental Disability

[fallenstarcat]

sometimes i feel like people forget autism is a disability. and that’s not a bad thing! i’m all for disability acceptance, im proud of my disabilities. but i feel like we forget autism can hurt.

it hurts that i have to put more time and energy into socializing than others.

it hurts when i need to move so bad, usually cause im overwhelmed by either my surroundings or emotions, that i thrash and hurt myself.

it hurts that i cant be in places that are too loud or too bright, which on bad days can be as simple as a small, quiet noise or dim lights.

it hurts that i struggle to tell when im hungry, thirsty, tired, etc. so i can’t properly take care of myself. it doesn’t help my insomnia and i get very nauseas and get UTIs.

i 100% believe in autism acceptance. i don’t want a cure. but i also want us the acknowledge that it can hurt. it doesn’t mean my entire life will hurt, but some parts will. and i want a community where we can see both sides, see the hurt, and celebrate it anyway.

[five-thousand-loaves-of-bread]

disabled children not allowed be children.

especially. intellectually and/or developmentally disabled (I/DD) children, & children w behavioral or “behavioral” struggles (aka many I/DD children) not allowed be children.

which may be weird thing say at first because I/DD famous for be infantilized, be treat as forever children. so would think children be only thing they “allow” be, n say they not allow be children contradicting—

but not actually.

as general whole, nondisabled children “allowed” tantrums. allow emotional immature. allowed childish quirks.

what be normal child tantrum fuss in (white) nondisabled children, even with child health/care professionals who whole entire job be understand that nondisabled typically developing child have underdeveloped brain n not yet have self regulate skill n that developmentally appropriate that normal, it may be talk as annoying & inconvenient, but for I/DD children every. single. time. where they “tantrum” “fuss” even in developmentally appropriate ways, chance be write as sign of their disability, sign of behavior problem, sign of emotional problem. be evidence of disorder. of abnormal. of something wrong. which be “okay” reason dehumanize, abuse, be talk about like animal, like not in room, like difficult problem to be solved.

nondisabled adults fondly look back at childhood comfort objects that maybe still have now, stuffed toys blankets or maybe less usual things that mean something to them. but when disabled children have them it be more likely *automatic* see as problem, as something need be weaned off, need be taken away, as unhealthy overattachment, be write into behavioral plan, only allow x minute per day, see as “impractical” & “useless”.

as general whole, nondisabled children allow say no, allow act out “no,” allow prefer, allow not want do something so protest by not doing, by not listening, by pretend not hear you. it may be see as funny or annoying but meanwhile for disabled children it largely see as oppositional as noncompliance as inattentive as something need be trained out of by all means possible.

nondisabled children do things because they kids. disabled children do things because there something wrong with them.

nondisabled children rights n autonomy not fully respected by any means but disabled children get even less of it.

disabled children often not allowed many leeway’s as nondisabled children, what be developmentally appropriate for same age nondisabled children often be over label as disorder as problem as something abnormal need be get rid off in disabled children.

n especially when come to behaviorally, white nondisabled children get be the most “child,” n Black n other disabled children of color get “child” stolen from them in multiple ways.

[wheelie-sick]

something that really fucking sucks about being a neurodevelopmentally disabled (NDD) adult and I never see talked about is the fact that children's paces are eventually off limits.

like, I don't know how to explain it other than the phrase "yeah, some NDD people actually do act like children and enjoy children's things (and that's okay)" (imperfect statement but I have a cognitive impairment leave me alone)

it's really frustrating because being an adult, and especially being an adult genderqueer man, I am barred from places like playgrounds because I am seen as a predator. it also makes me really sad. playgrounds, up until I started looking way too old for them, were a source of sensory comfort for me. I used to swing on the swing sets until I stopped looking 14. you can get away with being a 14 year old on the swings, not a 20+ year old.

and this goes for so much. while most of it doesn't affect me personally, it does affect many NDD people. it is not uncommon for NDD people to behave like this and have these interests. and it just sucks that the minute you start looking like an adult suddenly you're unwelcome in the spaces that brought you comfort and joy.

[realsocialskills]

Disability-affirming growth mindset

Children are often taught to think “I can’t do that *yet*” as a form of encouraging growth mindset. That’s a really useful strategy when it’s applicable, and it also needs some nuance in order to be more disability-affirming. 

Growth mindset has to be grounded in reality.

Growth means that I am always learning new things and developing new skills and getting better at things. It doesn’t mean doubling down on pursuing impossible dreams; it means doing real things. 

Sometimes growth mindset means thinking “I can’t do that *yet*,” and continuing to try until I can.

Sometimes it’s more like, “This isn’t working. Maybe I need to do it another way.”

Or: “This isn’t working, and maybe it’s not going to work. What else can I do?”

Or: “I can’t do *that*, but I can do the important part a different way.”

Or: “I can do that with help.” and/or “Let’s figure out what supports would make it possible to do that.”

Or: “We can do that collaboratively, together.”

Or: “I could do that with appropriate assistive technology. Let’s figure out if some exists and/or if there’s something we could invent.”

In those instances, realizing that something isn’t going to work is part of how we find out what *can* work.

There are also cases in which growth mindset means realizing that something may not be a good use of our time and effort and resources. A skill that is broadly useful to nondisabled people might not be worth it to me, even if I’m technically capable of doing it. (For instance, handwriting is a useful skill for most people, but it’s always been so hard for me that it’s not really worth it. Losing the ability to  handwrite more than a few words at a time has freed up my abilities to do other things, like focus on typing words.)

There’s something powerful about seeing your body as it really is and working with it rather than against it. Sometimes figuring out what isn’t possible or what’s not worth the cost in time and effort is how we find areas where we can grow and flourish. 

Growth mindset means that I *don't sabotage my growth* by wasting time and effort pursuing impossible things. I don’t stand on a chair or a roof and expect believing in myself to make it possible to use my arms as wings and fly. If I want to fly, I need an airplane, and that’s ok. 

At the same time, I think that claiming the power of “yet” is really important for disabled people, and especially for people with developmental disabilities. 

Sometimes there can be a lot of pressure to see ourselves as incapable of doing things every time disability makes it harder or means we need to do things differently or it’s not obvious whether or how we could do the thing. 

Sometimes we get pressure not to try things unless there’s some certainty that we will be able to do them. (And for something as complex and poorly understood as developmental disabilities, there’s rarely much certainty. Having other people’s doubts limit what we’re allowed to try makes the world very, very small.)

Sometimes disability-affirming growth mindset means saying “I can’t do that, let’s do something else,” and sometimes it means saying, “I might be able to do that, and I’d like to try.” Sometimes it means saying, “I want to keep trying even though it’s harder for me and I’m not catching on as quickly and no one seems to know how to teach me.” or “I don’t know if this is going to work but I think it could, and at this point, I’d like to keep trying.” Or, “I know most people learn this by the time they’re four, and I know I’m much older than that, but I’d like to try to learn this too.”

Sometimes it means an adult claiming the right to learn how to read, or finding a dance studio where they’re willing to slow down enough for them to learn. Sometimes it means practicing a new skill in private while you’re figuring out if it’s something that makes sense for you. Sometimes it means asking around to other disabled people to see what their strategies have been. Sometimes it means demanding your right to accessibility and accommodations even when others don’t think you belong and don’t see you as capable of doing things in the space you want to be in.

[rambles-of-mental-illness]

Neurodiversity

Neurodivergence refers to variations in neurological functioning that diverge from what is considered typical or "neurotypical." While there is no single, universally agreed-upon list, neurodivergent disorders generally include conditions that affect cognition, behavior, perception, or social functioning.

1. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) (controversial as a separate diagnosis)

Asperger’s Syndrome (outdated term, now part of ASD)

2. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD (Predominantly Inattentive Type)

ADHD (Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type)

ADHD (Combined Type)

3. Learning Disabilities & Processing Disorders

Dyslexia (difficulty with reading and language processing)

Dyscalculia (difficulty with math and numerical processing)

Dysgraphia (difficulty with writing and fine motor skills)

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Visual Processing Disorder (VPD)

Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD)

4. Intellectual Disabilities

Global Developmental Delay

Down Syndrome

Fragile X Syndrome

Williams Syndrome

Prader-Willi Syndrome

5. Communication Disorders

Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder

Speech Sound Disorder

Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Selective Mutism

6. Tic Disorders

Tourette Syndrome

Chronic Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder

Provisional Tic Disorder

7. Mental Health Conditions Often Considered Neurodivergent

Schizophrenia Spectrum & Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia

Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Delusional Disorder

Mood Disorders with Neurological Features

Bipolar Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (long-term cases cause atrophy in brain regions like the hippocampus)

Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder)

Anxiety & Related Conditions

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) (sometimes considered)

Panic Disorder (sometimes considered)

Trauma-Related Disorders (sometimes included)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (when it significantly alters cognition and sensory processing)

Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

Personality Disorders (Not all PDs)

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

Schizotypal Personality Disorder (StPD)

8. Sensory Processing Differences

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) (not formally recognized in DSM-5 but widely acknowledged in neurodivergent communities)

9. Epilepsy & Neurological Conditions (sometimes considered)

Epilepsy

Migraines with Aura

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

10. Other Conditions Sometimes Considered Neurodivergent

Hyperlexia (advanced reading ability with comprehension difficulties)

Synesthesia (cross-wiring of sensory experiences)

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) (due to high comorbidity with neurodivergence)

Autoimmune Encephalitis (when it affects cognitive function)

Neurodivergence is a broad and evolving concept, with some conditions more widely accepted as neurodivergent than others. The core idea is that neurodivergent individuals experience the world in ways that differ from neurotypical standards, often due to innate neurological differences.

[thecorvidforest]

just a reminder that insulting the way people speak because it’s “weird” (i.e. too fast, too slow, too monotone, too animated, slurred, etc) is ableist. many of us with intellectual disabilities, developmental disorders, autism, traumatic brain injuries, physical disabilities, and other conditions speak “weird” because of our conditions.

i see posts all the time like “POV you’re talking to that person who talks like they’re in an anime” or “people who speak monotone are so creepy, they’re like robots” or “people who slur their speech gross me out”. it’s ableist and dehumanizing. insulting the way “certain people” speak may seem harmless on the surface but under the surface those “certain people” are almost always disabled, and these traits are just traits of our disabilities.

[chronicallycouchbound]

Read the full post here

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[ID: pink and pink outlined text on a dark background reads: “intelligence doesn’t equal morality. Caring for others can happen at any IQ level.” The side text reads “@ chronicallycouchbound” In the upper right hand corner is a simple diamond star shape graphic. End ID.]

[artistic-ace-raven]

Being autistic and having a learning disability isn't very much talked within the online autism community. There are also mythes that are allowed to be up.

The mythes i am talking about are the stereotypes that autistic people are good at math, that autistic people are very intelligent, that we are gifted people. And that's wrong, that's overgeneralization.

I get that some autistic people are good at math, are highly intelligent or more intelligent than the average autistic, are gifted, but there are also autistic people who aren't good at math. Some autistic people who aren't intelligent, some who aren't gifted. There are autistic people who aren't good at everything because of their autism, because of many reasons.

For me, my reason for not being good at math is because i have Dyscalculia. That means that i basically suck ass at everything that's above grade 2 level math. Even some basic math questions i can mess up on, can do completely wrong. Because mental math is a struggle for me because of my memory issues.

So, when i see people saying that we're all gifted and not academically challenged in any shape or form, i do not like it. I feel left out by what they say. And i of course don't like feeling isolated. No one does.

Please stop perpetrating harmful stereotypes. I thought we were all past this but i guess not.

[augmentedpolls]

Developmental disabilities include things like adhd, autism, learning disabilities, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, chromosomal disorders, etc

[psychiatricwarfare]

hey btw everyone- people with mental disabilities can and, very often do, experience sexual attraction, get horny, have kinks/fetishes/paraphilias, masturbate, have sex, etc. this includes people with intellectual disabilities and/or any kind of developmental disabilities.

please stop acting like mentally disabled people Never have Any sexual wants/needs when that is so unbelievably untrue that by saying that, youre just admitting that you have obviously never interacted with more than a handful of mentally disabled people, if any at all.

i see it all the time (particularly irl when i talk about my job) where people will try to say that mentally disabled people cant have sex because they're basically children or because they dont understand it or because they cant make their own choices or it would always be coercion or they never ever want it themselves and that just isnt fucking true????

mentally disabled people can make their own choices, they know what feels good to them and what doesnt, they understand when they want to do something and when they don't. mentally disabled adults are not "like children". mentally disabled people are capable of being sexual. sure, some mentally disabled ppl are asexual, just like some able minded people are asexual. because mentally disabled people are human beings, just like everyone else

[aceshigh10987666]

Things you never see represented in media:

Being disabled and wanting to do things that are nearly outside of your ability. Being drawn to hobbies and skills that are more difficult for you than they are for other people.

Working your ass off to hone the skill. Having days where your dynamic disability takes that skill away. Trying to remind yourself that you DO have that skill just... not today. And maybe not tomorrow.

(This post is about any kind of disability, all disabled people are welcome to interact. What is your hobby or skill? Tag with your disability if you want to.)

[five-thousand-loaves-of-bread]

when people w intellectual or cognitive or language disabilities ask “what does that mean” please like. actually explain what it mean to us.

even when it like. most ridiculous wild thing conservative say, for example. when we genuine ask what it mean please not respond with “oh it just some ridiculous stuff don’t worry abt it”

that not help. that leave us out of information.

you able read it, understand it, n then make up own decision about it. we struggle with first thing, so we ask for help, but by respond that way you take away our chance do the next two things.

we deserve same right as you we deserve have access to same information and make our own mind n opinion about it.

[wheelie-sick]

it's kinda irritating the number of people on this poll saying they were forced to learn early and that's why they didn't learn late and I think that illustrates a broader problem in the autism community where people think that the reason some people don't hit developmental milestones is because they weren't forced to hit them.

while certainly not the largest example of a developmental milestone I was also forced to learn to tie my shoes young. unfortunately all the force in the world did not matter because I could not do it (not until much later anyways)

for every single autistic child there is force put into attempting to make us hit developmental milestones on time. being forced to hit a developmental milestone is an experience every autistic person has. the thing is- no matter how much force is applied some of us will never hit those milestones on time (or at all)

when you say stuff about how you were forced to hit a milestone and that's why you hit that milestone on time you imply that people who missed that milestone only missed it because there wasn't force applied. it also implies that people who never hit that milestone could eventually hit it if only they were forced to. this just isn't the case. missing milestones is not an effect of lack of pressure.

using it to equate your experiences to those of someone who didn't hit that milestone is also just shitty to do. it's okay to not relate to an autistic experience, that doesn't make your experience lesser, but you have to allow people to have conversations about their own experiences without adding your commentary if you don't have that experience.

[chamilique]

i have so much i want to say about the ableism towards people with ID that comes from autistic people, but i have no clue how to word it.

i have both, and oftentimes it is unintentional but it doesn’t make it any less upsetting to deal with

[rambles-of-mental-illness]

A flag for fragile X syndrome (requested/suggested) with assistance from @dragoncxv360. Information under cut

What is Fragile X Syndrome?

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a genetic disorder that affects how the brain develops. It can make learning, talking, and socializing harder for some people. It's the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and happens because of a change (mutation) in the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome.

Why is it called Fragile X?

Under a microscope, the X chromosome in people with this condition looks "fragile" or broken, which is where the name comes from!

What does FXS do?

People with Fragile X might have: - Trouble learning (some have mild difficulties, others need more help) - Speech delays (talking later than other kids) - Anxiety & shyness (especially in social situations) - Sensory issues (loud sounds, bright lights, certain textures might feel overwhelming) - Hyperactivity or impulsiveness (kind of like ADHD) - Autism-like traits (repetitive behaviors, avoiding eye contact, social struggles)

What causes it?

A section of the FMR1 gene (which helps brain cells work properly) repeats too many times and turns off. This stops the body from making a protein called FMRP, which is important for brain development.

A parent can be a carrier (having a smaller mutation) and not show symptoms but still pass it on to their kids.

Is there a cure?

Nope, but there are ways to help! - Speech & behavioral therapy can improve communication. - Special education support helps with learning. - Medications can help with anxiety, hyperactivity, or mood regulation.

How do you know if someone has it?

Doctors can do a genetic test to check for the Fragile X mutation.

Fragile X Syndrome is a neurodivergent disability.

[themogaidragon]

Neurodivergent and Persodivergent

PT: Neurodivergent and Persodivergent /end PT

ID: A six striped flag, with the first, second, fifth, and sixth being wide while the third and fourth are narrower. The colors are, from top to bottom, dark blue, green, black, white, orange, and red. A symbol is in the center, a diamond shape split in half horizontally with the top being white and the bottom being black. Going through the diamond is a back slash, with the top being black and the bottom being white. On top of the diamond shape there is an infinity sign that overlaps on top of itself, with the top left of the infinity sign being a dark red, the top right being a dark green, a light blue on the bottom left, and the bottom right being a light yellow. END ID

Made via combining the neurodivergent flag (link) made by @neopronouns and the persodivergent flag (link) made by @epikulupu.

Separated parts of flag archival. :)

ID: the black and white diamond shapen with a slash symbol isolated, on a transparent background. END ID

ID: the infinity symbol isolated, on a transparent background. END ID

ID: the black and white diamond shapen with a slash symbol with the infinity symbol on top of it isolated, on a transparent background. END ID

ID: The previous combined symbol but it now has two even stripes behind the diamond, with the upper stripe being black and the lower stripe being white. END ID