🧠 What Is a "Typical" Child? A Reflection on Labels, Language, and Ableism

What does it really mean to call someone “typical”? And who gets to decide?

In a world obsessed with definitions and diagnoses, India Ochs unpacks the loaded language we use around children, disability, and identity. The original personal essay doesn’t just ask “what is a typical child?”—it invites us to question why we even use that label in the first place. While many think the word “typical” is harmless or even helpful, it often carries unintended harm, especially when used in contrast with disability.

Ochs’ powerful reflection goes beyond the personal—it challenges deeply ingrained societal norms and examines the pervasive nature of ableism, from everyday Facebook threads to professional speech-language practices. She questions how casually we apply labels for a person with a disability, and urges readers to reflect on why we don’t say what we really mean. After all, as she reminds us, labels are for bottles, not people.

The piece resonates with anyone who has ever been told to “just get over it,” and it speaks directly to readers who value inclusion and neurodiversity. It’s also a thoughtful follow-up to debates around disability terminology, such as “is saying special needs offensive?”

📰 Read the full personal essay here:
👉 What Is a Typical Child? Rethinking Labels & Ableism

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