One day this past week, a staff person and I met to talk about strategies for working with one of our kiddos.  They referred to their Autistic Spectrum diagnosis as their "disability" - as a starting point of the conversation. The reference pertained directly to the similar challenges they share.  The child we were discussing exhibits behaviors consistent with ASD but does not have the official label.

The staff person's self-identification bothered me - they clearly see themselves as broken.  I don't consider them disabled.  I, however, do view them as a valuable contributing member of our team - with skills and talents that others of us do not have. They are someone who has immense potential working in a self-directed education environment.

I had another conversation with a staff person also diagnosed with ASD - later in the week.  They adamantly refuse to be defined by their diagnosis.  They simply think of themselves as a brilliantly creative person who happens to be on the Spectrum.  

I don't know why one feels damaged, while the other feels empowered.  Nonetheless, these conversations led me to think about the kids we work with and their convictions about themselves. Some are diagnosed with various disorders, and others are not.  But - most have experienced mixed levels of trauma and believe they are defective in some way.  

They don't recognize their charm, wit, genius, creativity, kindness, wisdom, or the other numerous positive traits I see. They can only experience their brokenness. And they adopt identities and behaviors that are consistent with their narrative, not their true nature.

At this point, my levels of frustration are boiling over.  I want to help kids understand they aren't damaged goods, and whatever they have experienced in the past does not define them as human beings. Nevertheless, I have to remember it will take time and patience. I fully believe with unconditional love and support, accessible information, and most importantly, modeling, these kids will take back their stolen identities and embrace their superpowers.
 

We should know later today whether we can rent the new space we have identified for our DRC-East Center.  Stay-tuned!

In other news, Nic, our DRC-East apprentice has taken the original DRC logo and created one using  colors the kids chose, that represent many of their native heritage. 

We are exploring some potential (exciting) options for DRC East.   Stay tuned!

In the meantime, DRC is here in Canton and Lawrenceville for any child who feels like they are not supported to be their best selves by their current school environment.  We have rolling membership, which means any child in the NoCo is welcome to join us at any point during the academic year.  Contact us today.

And, a huge shout of thanks to the SLU crew who came out for Make a Difference Day to rake the DRC Canton yard and do a deep clean inside.

Productivity, I find, is a judgment call based on each of our personal experiences and is often overrated.  No one can determine what is valuable or beneficial for someone else - not how they spend their time, the thoughts they generate, or what manifests from those ideas.   

Self-motivation is born from the innate desire to learn - no amount of external criticism, inducement, or punitive action will instigate it.  Additionally, when children are in coercive and controlling environments or relationships, they lose the ability to self-regulate and make decisions. It also destroys their natural curiosity and insatiable thirst to explore their world.  

For me, practical productivity requires the quiet and (often) dormant spaces filled with the humus of previous generations of creativity, where my brain has free rein to wander (get lost), test out theories, and play! 

Student members in both DRC Canton & Lawrenceville are taking on several Social Justice issues related to populations of people traditionally facing discrimination. One nine-year-old is passionate about the injustices practiced at the Indian Boarding (Residential) Schools and the bodies they are finding at those schools. She, with the help of Angie, and a couple of other kids, created and installed this memorial to honor them at the Canton Center.   Stay tuned for future projects from the Social Justice Classes.

We all have stories that we tell ourselves.  Most, whether we like to admit it or not, are based on emotions, not truth. These secret tales filled with fear, grief, or anxiety, likely stemming from past trauma, often stop us from taking the steps necessary to follow our dreams.  And sometimes, they even get in the way of understanding scientifically accurate statements about the world.   

These personalized tales, which we all carry around like extraneous luggage on a short day trip, are the main reason DRC's tagline - Explore the Possibilities - exists.   

Most of us need the daily reminder to abandon the negative messaging loop of internalized blocks (and baggage).  It gives us permission to spontaneously take that (real or metaphorical) left turn away from perceived safety and begin to actively seek out all of the creative opportunities, joy, gratitude, and potential hidden within the benign (boring) routines of every day.  

A small sample of the fun we had this past week.

This is a double haiku written in my head while on a morning walk - which after a few revisions, then inspired this post. H/T to Angie for influencing the middle line in the second stanza. 

• Always meet everyone as an equal. Every human being is intelligent, valuable, and worthy of love, no matter how different they seem from you.  
• Extending grace, empathy, respect, and gratitude to all beings is your superpower.
• Kindness is the magic elixir that soothes and smoothes the rough edges of life. 
• Showing emotion or vulnerability is not weak. 
• Ask for help when you need it. And support (fight for) others when they are struggling.
• You are an observant and creative problem-solver. 
• Curiosity is the foundation of all learning.  
• Consider the process of playing, exploring, and following your interests another opportunity to have fun, discover something new, learn, and grow. 
• Explore all the possibilities - learning is a lifelong endeavor.
  
• Making mistakes and screwing up is expected when you try something new. *Remember to apologize if you hurt someone.  
• It is okay to be bored - your brain needs quiet time and space to devise new ideas.  
• Be your most awesome authentic self! But, always be open to new ideas. ​ 
• Sometimes things are hard. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself and get uncomfortable. And then, when you discover something unfamiliar and intriguing, be ready to embrace the growth and change that accompanies all that newfound knowledge.  It is worth the struggle. 
• Never be fearful of saying "No" (and always respond appropriately when you hear "no") - it is the basis of respect and consent within healthy relationships. 
• You will always be perfectly you! Additionally, you are trusted, and you are loved!  

Practicing the knowledge held in the above list, as opposed to the societally approved Standards of Education, with its finite curriculum specifically selected to train an obedient workforce, makes you a successfully, accomplished, and brilliant self-directed learner who can and will make a positive difference in this world.   

If your child is ready to break free from coercion and intimidation they are experiencing in school, get in touch today.  We provide open enrollment throughout the year.

Thanks again to Mary Ann Ashley for sponsoring our Little Free Library Registration.  We received the nameplate. And will be on the world map as soon as our form is processed.