



When I was in Graduate School, we learned about Labeling Theory. This is a theory based on "how the self-identity and behavior of individuals may be determined or influenced by the terms used to describe or classify them" (thanks again Wiki). A sort of self-fulfilling prophecy. For example, had Ryan spent the hours on Google like I did, reading words about all the things he wouldn't be able to do, shouldn't try to do or never dream about doing, then according to Labeling Theory, Ryan would have internalized those descriptors and believed he wasn't capable of what others without an ASD label are capable of, therefore, Ryan would never try and would wind up being less....just like the label predicted. Fortunately, Ryan has never Googled autism, he has never spent hours worrying about his future, and although he knows there are things that are more challenging for him than for others, Ryan tends to focus on what he excels at, and fortunately school is one of them. Clearly, labeling theory did not address what reading those "terms" would do to a borderline crazy mother.
