#developmentally disabled

[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.

[osokasstuff]

rely on someone to meet basic needs and perform basic self-care tasks is okay and morally neutral, but can we talk about how hard it is? how vulnerable it makes you, how dependent it makes you, how tiring it is, how anxiety-producing it is, how it affects your dignity and self-esteem?

how much guilt it brings to constantly ask people to do something for you, especially something basic and presumably "simple." how little privacy you have left when you need someone to assist you with bathing, feeding (putting food from plate to mouth), dressing, moving, brushing your hair and teeth, and other tasks socially considered private and/or very basic.

even if your caretaker(s) are always nice and respectful and patient and do everything like you wish, it may still feel humiliating. and lots of caretakers are not like this, not even close.

and it's hard for you, and it's hard for caretakers, yes, even paid ones, but often our caretakers are not professional and paid workers. often, it's our loved ones. and it creates unique dynamics that are too taboo to discuss because society sees disabled lives, dependent lives as gross, and toxic positivity requires never to show complicated parts of our experiences even in disability rights activism.

depending on someone for surviving and/or daily living is normal, but it's a complicated experience with plenty of nuances, difficulties, problems, and heavy emotions.

[wheelie-sick]

my therapist pointed out that I stop moving whenever I'm upset and it's like,,,, yeah that would be ABA therapy constantly shaming the movement out of me so now I feel wildly uncomfortable doing it

they really didn't succeed at making me look "normal" or "natural" just really artificially stiff. it makes me sad because I've seen other autistic people get this way too, just completely still all the time and it's apparent that they have also been shamed out of moving (by ABA therapy or otherwise) we didn't learn to move "correctly" we just learned that our movement was "wrong" so we stopped it.

[ok to reblog]

[neurodivergent-catlover]

i dont like the push for perfect language "perfect spelling perfect english"

if you can understand what someone has written why do you feel the need to correct their spelling if they didnt ask? If you know what they meant then their use of language was good

lots of marginalised people struggle with perfect grammer English language

like children, poor people with lack of education, many disabled people, people whos first language isnt English(which is often BIPOC) and much more

and a lot of "slang" / "improper english" is simply just how some people from different cultures/backgrounds speak, like AAVE for example

i just really dislike the push for "proper English" because if it gets your message across, then there is no need to change jt

the push for "proper English" in many settings even in classrooms just excludes so many people, i hate it so much.

this is ur sign 2 guve up caring abt others spelling n ect!!! Silly rules silly world we live in!

[disability-and-cats]

don't forget march is developmental disabilities awareness month! :]

[strange-nd-creature]

Being autistic and having RSD means that I’m too afraid to ask favors of people directly, but I don’t know how to imply things indirectly. So I just never ask favors of people.

[wronggalaxy]

I've seen people doing "shout out to disabled people with gross traits", so I thought I would do my own, but with traits I've never seen discussed in these posts(an asterisk (this thing: *) after it means it’s something I expirence)

So, shout out to disabled people who:

—Can't always wash their hands after using the toilet. *

—Who wet/mess themselves in bed(and can't clean it up) because "I can't leave bed" means I can't leave bed.

—Who get nosebleeds because they pick their nose so much. *

—Who can take a bath/shower, put on deodorant, and put on freshly washed clothes and still smell 'bad'. *

—Who can't help but get food/drink/blood/snot/etc. on their books/comics/magazines when they try to read. *

—Who eat everything with their hands. *(I've eaten cereal and soup with mine on multiple occasions)

—Who have/have had moldy dishes/pop bottles/wrappers/food/etc in their room for weeks or months or years or longer. *(I just recently had help from a sibling to replace my broken furniture, clean up my space, and throw out trash. Before that I had moldy stuff in my room for up to 4 or 5 years for some of it.)

—Who have never had bed wetting problems, but do struggle to stay dry during the day. *(Bed wetting is valid too, of course, and so is doing both, I've just seen people talk about bed wetting, but not day wetting.)

—Who eat things(specifically non-food things)you know you shouldn't. *(I'll eat just about anything(just not most foods), but I'm big on styrofoam and old chipped paint from my walls)

—Who don't know/can't use "basic manners" *

—And a bunch of other stuff I can't think of right now(feel free to add more in comments/reblogs)

There is no shame here.

[dysgeographica]

there’s nothing wrong with needing to use gps directions to get everywhere.

it doesn’t mean you’re “stupid”, it doesn’t mean you’re not trying hard enough or not paying enough attention. it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong or taking the easy way out. it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be allowed to be independent.

yes, even if you need it to get somewhere you’ve been a million times before. even if you need it to get around the town you’ve lived in your entire life. even if other people think you should be able to go without it.

if you wouldn’t judge another disabled person for using certain tools that let them live more independently, don’t judge yourself for doing the same.

and never ever let someone else shame you into going out into the world without the tools that allow you to feel safe.

these tools exist to be used, so use them if you need them. there’s no shame in needing help.

[magpiemagica]

Disability in the US: A Masterpost

DISABLED AMERICANS CAN’T EVER CATCH A F*CKING BREAK?!

Sorry for yelling; just very scared and upset at the state of my nation right now. And the fact that the only people I see standing up for the disabled community right now is teachers, doctors, and adults of disabled children! I will be using this post to document and educate on disabled issues.

Note from March 25, 2025: Some stuff near the top might be out of date, specifically regarding the state of The Department of Education. I will however still keep those (pre-closure) links up as they are still relevant. Just be aware of the timeline while reading; I started dating my updates around Early March.

(Note: In this post, I will be going over a bunch of stuff concerning the disabled community. I am an adult diagnosed with autism (and some other stuff) who although being Lv1, needs support. These issues will obviously affect more than just Americans with developmental disabilities (autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, etc.) and I will try to be as inclusive as I can to ALL disabilities in this post. This is just the personal experience I am bringing in.)

RFK JR. (he is a whole pile of worms, no pun intended)

17 states are in a lawsuit to eliminate section 504 of of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, this would allow public schools to discriminate education against disabled students. This includes removable of disability accommodations. 504 applies to other government assisted services as well such as hospitals and doctor's offices. This possible removable is a big civil rights issue.

Below are Section 504 itself and the lawsuit.

Speaking of disability and education, the dismantlement of the Department of Education. Just like stated in GOP plan Project 2025, Donald Trump plans to eliminate the Department of Education. This is a horrible idea for so many reasons but especially for disabled students and their parents. The DOE funds special education or "SPED" programs in schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, (in 2022-23) 7.5 million students in America receive special education or related services.

Obviously, the pulling back and demonization of DEI will be a big negative for the disabled community, one that already struggles with finding employment, belonging, and support. But most people are already aware of it.

Problem Presidential Actions/Executive Orders. There are many; some linked below. These are specifically ones that impact disabled Americans; lots of ones not mentioned are just as if not more concerning for other reasons.

KEEPING EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE AND ENDING COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATES IN SCHOOLS: will endanger communal health, especially that of the immunocompromised

AMERICAN HEART MONTH, 2025: Magpie, wanting to raise awareness for heart disease is obviously a good thing! Why put this in here? "And we will fulfill our pledge to investigate what has caused the decades-long increase in health problems and childhood diseases — including obesity, autoimmune disorders, infertility, and autism." Yes and, my main concern is their inclusion of "autism". Ignoring the fact that they referred to it as a heath problem or childhood disease, I am autistic adult who has lived on this earth for around 20 years now. For me, this screams Autism Speaks. Autism is a genetic disorder and there have been many studies about its potential causes. This administration has rejected and censored the medical world; this will only result in misinformation being spread.

Update: April 6, 2025: more autism stuff.

WITHDRAWING THE UNITED STATES FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: This one should be self explanatory.

There is more.

There's more concerns I have but I'm tired :/. So tired. Just wanted to raise awareness. I'll post something fun next.

UPDATE: MARCH 11, 2025

Soo...it gets worse, like it always seems to do nowadays.

CDC is planning on doing a nation wide study, studying "the link" between autism and vaccines. The link that seems from the debunked and medically controversial 1998 Wakefield study. Anyone who has a valid medical degree, did basic research on the topic, or is educated on autism can tell you that you cannot "get" autism from vaccines. It is important to note that developmental, neurological, and mental delays due to things like lead poisoning, injuries to the brain, and medical issues like diseases or strokes. However, this is not the case for autism. Autism is a condition you are born with, similar to other developmental disabilities. It seems to be only really questioned because unlike other disorders like down syndrome and fragile X syndrome, autism does not display any physical deformities or traits. You cannot tell if a baby is autistic at birth, only later on as it goes through stages of development. Autism is a genetic disorder with some suspected environmental risks.

So, why is the CDC spending this amount of energy on a theory from a disgraced man who got his medical license revoked and has been fact checked by the medical community multiple times? Short answer, money. I talked on this weeks ago in the American Heart Month section. This is plan to transfer money away from important services and spend it on something meaningless. I don't want to call it embezzlement but that is what it is currently looking like to me :/.

I would be incredibly upset if this happened anytime but now?? The worst time. Antivaxx has been gaining more and more popularity over the years and I have seen a sharp increase of medical misinformation since the confirmation of RJK Jr. The United States government themselves pursuing this theory only validates medical denialism. And with the very real threat of a nationwide Measles outbreak; people need to be vaccinated against MMR more than ever. No more kids need to die because their parents didn't give them the proper vaccines.

Oh and also big Medicaid cuts.

Ugh. Signing out for now <3

UPDATE (March 31st)

UPDATE: MARCH 21, 2025

So, it’s happened. The Department of Education I mean. Not surprised, I’m one of the few who sat down and read Project 2025 (Section 11 linked). But God.. it doesn’t feel real. I’m scared, especially for disabled kids, especially in poorer areas. These families. I don’t know what else to say. I don’t know what to do. God bless the teachers of America.

UPDATE: MARCH 25, 2025

Back to bullshit. Sorry if that's too harsh; I'm just not really in the mood for pleasant formalities. Due to the Department of Education being destroyed (including OSERS), as mentioned above, the responsibility of Special Education will be transferred to Robert F. Kennedy in The Department of Health and Human Services. He and his department not qualified to handle SPED at all. In fact, looking back at when I originally wrote this post, he was one of the leading threats I identified in this administration relating to disability justice.

UPDATE: MARCH 28, 2025

So, about the The Department of Health and Human Services...

Another link. And another link, more specifically about disability and these cuts (from Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund).

Sorry that there is no description on this update; hopefully I will fix that in the future. I am writing this in a hurry.

UPDATE: APRIL 17, 2025

RFK Jr. Another link. This shit is really bad. I'll add more details when I have the energy.

UPDATE: APRIL 24, 2025

Fuck.

Update (April 26): It’s been refused

Update: April 28, 2025: The Section 504 lawsuit threat seems to be dropped for the time being, at least the argument in it that 504 is unconstitutional and should be removed from 17 states. Instead they are going to just argue to remove gender dysphoria from the list of protected conditions. Here's the updated case.

[crippy-tangerine]

Hello tumblr we come bearing more userboxes.!! ✨!

Pronoun ones, but mainly aimed at other systems, other psychotic + disabled people who use pronouns other than “I/me/mine/myself”. 🙂‍↕️.

Fine to use 🩷. You don’t need credit us, but it is also awesome if you do credit us! /genuine tone. The second half of this collection will be in a reblog as usual! 🫡 . (There’s 20 in total).

[wolverinefan2006]

hi so ive been thinking alot about autistic meltdowns and tantrums and how they affect me and i realized something important. while i do have meltdowns sometimes tantrums are way more common for me and i dont see really anyone talking about tantrum behavior in autistic adults

for me tantrums are different from meltdowns cause they happen when i dont get something i want. i have this really strong need for routine and i get frustrated super easy and sometimes i just cant handle being told no. i really like things to be fair and if theres no good reason why i cant have something i want i get really angry

my tantrums look like arguing and hitting things and crying and screaming and it might seem like im freaking out over something small like not getting chick-fil-a or a toy i want but its actually a really big deal for me. ill try to negotiate and argue to get what i want and if that doesnt work ill get even more upset. i totally refuse to move on until i either get what i want or the person im arguing with leaves completely and then i might do SIB or self harm

these tantrums are really emotionally intense and they drain me completely. i get headaches from crying and screaming and afterwards i feel super guilty and exhausted. i dont like having tantrums but they happen

does anyone else have tantrums like this? what do yours looks like? how do you deal with them?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[five-thousand-loaves-of-bread]

on tumblr lot more people know about it which great! that improve life of all AAC users. but pretty much with anything disability/developmental disability space on social media (which need certain amount of cognitive/intellectual & language abilities be on even if have support), good majority you see be teen & adult people who already literate learn language via speech n write *first* n then *independently* learn AAC base on it *later*.

especially symbol based AAC, but all AAC, is new system n hard n take long time learn even when you literate & not moderately severely cognitively disabled. but also, “literate teen/adult independent learn AAC” not at all full face of AAC user community.

as in like. experience of theirs. not universal. independently motivated & able to look up different AAC options different AAC apps, compare n contrast. download app n immediately know how to use, or able figure out by self. first time use app n may be clunky n slow, but make sentence on first try. need learn AAC, but most of that learning is for where words are (if button based), how exist as AAC user in public with confidence, etc. those all valid but not true for everyone who need AAC, especially not developmentally disabled children (& some adults) with complex communication needs.

most developmentally disabled children (n some adults) w complex communication needs who need AAC, can’t just hand them tablet with symbol based AAC app or text to speech AAC app n then wait for magic. many of them developmentally delayed in way, not taught in way that fit them (e.g. gestalt language processors), n their language abilities behind peers, so they can’t read, can’t spell, can’t grammar, etc.

some of them need learn where word is not by read word, sometimes not even by understand symbol, instead is by other people press button n hear sound n associate that with meaning n location on AAC n symbol associate with it. in other words, they learning language alongside AAC.

for some their learn process look like, learn how use AAC say one word. n then much later, try make two word message, “want food” “go school.” “two word message” incredibly common goal for many these developmentally disabled children, teens, n even adults, that is something rare n truly extraordinary for that person that need be celebrated.

for others it look like learn by phrase (gestalt), then slowly break it down into smaller phrase n chunks n finally single words.

many of them babble (click random/seemingly random buttons on high tech device, stim with it, etc). but ultimately, won’t be able learn all by self. need be taught, see you accidentally spill water n crying, maybe you “feel” “sad”, n when that happen you “need” “help” from adult. need learn AAC by adults around them constantly model with it, constantly use it in conversation, show them how use. because they learning language along side it.

but also some of them don’t know what this thing in front of them (AAC… device, low tech boards or picture cards, etc) is. don’t know what communication is or you should do that. don’t know people exist who you should communicate to & with. heard many parents n SLP say they try model all time, try all kind of stuff, but child just not seem interested in it, don’t look at it, don’t touch it, don’t use it.

people who use AAC, not all them struggle with only speech. some them struggle with language, with intellectual/cognitive. some of them very developmentally delayed.

n some people, too disabled learn or use AAC. yeah, they exist.

for people who cannot use / cannot only use speech to be understood, AAC can be life changing. but is so much more complex thing. AAC still not as widely used n accepted n properly taught n supported as should, some parents n professionals n schools still many pushback n refuse. but sometimes answer to “have you tried AAC for them” is “yes, but they need long time n lots help to learn n we not very far yet even though spent long time on it” or “yes, but they simply not show interest even after constant model” or “god, wish can, but insurance only cover if show some amount of communication competence n ability use AAC, while only give 1 month trial, which simply not enough time” (wide spread thing that happen) or “yes. many types. it not work.”

for many AAC users & AAC user-to-be, it not as simple as “be handed AAC n check back in while they figure out by self”

[osokasstuff]

sometimes when i try to describe my relationships with being visibly autistic, i think "visibly developmentally disabled" explains it better. where i live, autism awareness is really low, so people who see me don't think about me in correct medical words and diagnoses, etc. they probably don't know what autism is, how it presents, maybe don't even know the word autism. but they do know clearly that something is wrong with me. that something is wrong with my mind (sorry for the wording. they put it like that and i don't know how to express the specifics of this treatment better).

some people seem to think that visible autism means "everyone know your exact diagnosis and understand what it means and think about you in proper medical terms," something like this. i think this idea leads people to say things like "autism is invisible disability" (presuming always and for everyone) or "well everyone's autism is visible if you know where to look."

visible disability is not about everyone knowing the specific diagnosis by look. visible disability is about people knowing that you are disabled by look.

another example: i'm a mobility aid user (cane/crutches/wheelchair depend on situation), and i'm visibly physically disabled because of it. people don't know my exact diagnosis by look, but they know i'm disabled in a physical way.

similar for visible autism: people may not know exact name of condition, but they know that i'm disabled in a developmental way. and act accordingly.

[wheelie-sick]

imagine having to personally fight for your right to be in integrated education as a child and teenager just for some fuck to come along and decide that you actually need to be locked in an institution "for your own good" because you're an "easy target for bullying"

[ID: a Tumblr comment saying "Yes, and they should go to a different school. Having the mentally challenged and normal students together just makes them targets for bullying, because everyone knows they are easy victims."]

I actually greatly prefer having been bullied and severely ostracized to being in an institution.

also, why is it our fault that children bully us?? why can't you teach your kids not to be fucking bullies? why can't you make teachers step in and actually protect us??

my mom fought for my right to be in integrated classrooms. I fought for my right to be in integrated classrooms. IDD folks of the past fought for all of our rights to be in integrated classrooms. saying shit like this is spitting on everything IDD people have fought for

[aacalienz]

This Disability pride month believe people with intellectual and developmental disabilities about our transness. We aren’t “too disabled” or “confused” or anything else. We’re people and we can make decisions about our bodies and identities.

[disability-and-cats]

please stop immediately giving disabled people suggestions when they talk about their pain, it's not a free pass to assume we haven't tried the most basic things ever before :/

(it's like assuming we haven't thought to drink water if we're thirsty)