What’s In a Label?
It was some months ago that astronomers ruled that Pluto is not a planet, or rather a true planet: As Tony at Astronomy Buff recently wrote, Pluto is a dwarf planet. He also notes:
The one thing about this whole issue that really fogs my lens is when people start saying things like, ‘Well, no more Pluto.’
To these educationally challenged people I say this: Pluto hasn’t gone anywhere you idiot, it’s just not called a planet anymore. All we’ve changed is how astronomers classify it, it hasn’t physically changed in anyway whatsoever.
Whatever its label, Pluto is still icy and still exists (even if it is being kicked off solar system puzzles).
Similarly, a diagnosis like “autism”—a “label”—can make a world of difference, even though the person “classified” with a label is the same person. Sometimes for the better, if a parent, or a person him or herself, finally has a name to describe things that have been problems; if a parent receives an early diagnosis for a child and start to learn about autism and to accept the diagnosis. Sometimes, a label can be for the worse—-whatever their true intentions and beliefs, people still stare and start when they see Charlie and hear his speech, which is not what people expect in a 10-year-old boy: Labels still come with a potential for stigma.
And I hope that, when it comes to autism and autistic persons, we can keep expanding the universe, and make room for everyone on the puzzle board.
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POSTED IN: Diagnosis, Metaphor, Stereotypes
10 opinions for What’s In a Label?
laurentius-rex
Jul 5, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Pluto is an always will be Mickey Mouse’ dog :)
Was also the name of my pet cat (from EA Poe)
bev
Jul 5, 2007 at 2:39 pm
What a tragedy that Pluto is now among the disenfranchised. Yet MERCURY is still allowed in our solar system? Clearly this is yet another dastardly conspiracy…
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jul 5, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Or perhaps we could reclaim it (Mercury)…..
ordinarybutloud
Jul 5, 2007 at 3:13 pm
bev…hahahahahahahaha
ah, that made me laugh. And laugh and laugh.
mcewen
Jul 5, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I don’t know. Now that we’re back here, I’m quite glad to leave behind our temporary label of ‘thoroughly poisonous child.’
Cheers
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jul 5, 2007 at 3:40 pm
You’re kidding! I guess you’re not……
Chuck
Jul 5, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Anybody who actually wants Mercury is more then welcome to get all they can. No one on Earth will stop you.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jul 5, 2007 at 4:10 pm
He is the trickster god……..
BrstPathDoc
Jul 5, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Also associated with lawyers, if I’m not mistaken. This is why I’m somewhat bemused the caduceus is associated with the medical field. The staff of Aesculapius is much more preferable.
laurentius-rex
Jul 5, 2007 at 5:18 pm
One snake or two? Thoth or Moses?
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