Five(73)

I am the mother of two brilliant, talented, funny, and spirited neurodiverse children. I took my kids to the Balham Pizza Express for many years and my son did once throw a blue glass across the restaurant just to see what would happen, and the staff was nothing but kind and gracious. It is kindness without judgment that mothers always remember.

But we remember the judgment too. Because it wears away at our children, day after day, and it clings until they become adults, and it sticks until they do something, like Sonny, that very nearly can’t be undone. And we, like Luna, would even come back from the dead to undo it, if only we could. For those who have judged the children like Sonny, the mothers like Luna, you know who you are, and I want you to know that your judgment causes damage that lasts forever. So, if you cannot see neurodiversity as a harbinger of limitless human potential; if you only have the narrowest, tiniest little ruler for measuring achievement; if you cannot be kind or even decent, you are free to be so. But please understand that we are not seeking your approval. We are just asking you, respectfully, to get the hell out of our way. We have extraordinary children to raise.