Bella has many facets to her personality and a long list of diagnoses. I have noticed that most parents in our circle prefer not to discuss or label their children with diagnostic terms – but in our home it has been a peace restorer to have language for some of the unusual things that go down on the daily.
Since we often talk about which behavior goes into which bucket – Bella started a TikTok series to showcase some of her individual traits and the formal diagnoses that go along with them…
We leverage these terms for greater understanding as Bella’s path unfolds. It’s a moving target. Just when we settle into one thing, it morphs into something else.
We are committed to finding the fun and levity in as much of it as possible and to embracing her whole being.
Bella hopes sharing the details of her uniqueness will give other kids courage to be themselves… and spread some joy and understanding amongst neurotypical folks who desire to better love and support their neurodivergent friends and family.
I also have high functioning autism, along with vision and hearing impairments, and a mild physical challenge. I need hearing aids and I’m legally blind in my left eye.