The 'Nexicon', or the Lexicon of things not to say
Updated: Apr 18, 2019
OH GOOD GRIEF, once I started I couldn’t stop. Inspired by the finest post I’ve ever read, SEND Bingo by the effervescent Annie at mykidlovesbroccoli, (https://mykidlovesbroccoli.wordpress.com/2017/07/06/sendbingo/) I felt it might be time to share some of the delightful comments that I’ve been lucky enough to hear from other people. Folks wonder why those in a similar position only keep a few trusted allies and can’t really be bothered with the rest… We seek out the kind of people that we can share these comments with and then laugh ourselves stupid. These are the people who ask a question because they want the answer in order to be helpful, supportive or make something easier for our kids. These are the people we keep.
Early after diagnosis this stuff used to really hurt me. Now, I would recommend that anyone brave enough to spout such ignorant crap wear an effective pair of ear defenders and a sturdy pair of running shoes.
Ladies and gentlemen , I give you the NEXICON.
At least he’s a good-looking child
Isn’t it great they let him come to school with everyone else
God never gives us anything we can’t handle
We are not worried, he’ll grow out of it.
Life’s not like that, they are just going to have to learn to get on with it.
Special Parents get Special Children
I liked that school but when I found out how many kids had special needs there, there was no WAY I was going to send children there.
Is your other child normal?
Do you think you might have been really judgemental before and that’s why this happened to you?
Are there any others in your family?
Are you worried that your other child might have it?
Twenty years ago your children would have been locked up.
They take up so much of the teacher’s time
They are so lucky to get extra help
Wouldn’t he prefer to be in the corridor?
He looks alright
Really? Are you sure? She seems OK.
I’d be MUCH tougher on them
I didn’t invite her because I knew she wouldn’t like it
It’s just an excuse for bad behaviour.
SEND children are ...
SEND parents are ...
So what can’t you do?
What can’t they do?
Who has it come from?
We’ve been talking about you over a coffee
I had a friend who had one.
Wouldn’t they be happier in a different school?
You can’t blame the teachers for not knowing what to do
Do they have any friends?
She should be grateful
Maybe you should try tougher boundaries.
You know that most people’s marriages fail after that diagnosis
Bless them
Of course, I don’t really know the details…(eyes wide and voice inflected to give me the opportunity to chime in with all the juicy stuff)
Will they ever…
He wasn’t as far down the spectrum as yours…
Didn’t you know?
I suppose they’re happy enough
Well you CHOSE to extend your family
You are grieving.
Phew! Catharsis in action. Join in the fun folks… I’d love to hear yours in the comments below. Get them out of that painful section of your brain and out onto the screen. Then we can all laugh our socks off together.
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