The power names have for kids with disabilities and special needs is rarely given the attention it deserves. In this post, guest blogger Heather Braucher reflects upon the positive and negative power names associated with our children and their disabilities have on them.

The verb form of the word “name” means to be given a name or named.

When something is given a name, the significance is anything but temporary. In fact, it has compounding effects.

The word name, though simple and common, is included in many significant expressions. Their implications, however, aren’t simple. For example…

“I can’t put a name to it…”

“I need to clear my name…”

“I want to make a name for myself…”

And the simple and most universal one—

“What’s your name?”

Names carry weight and power. I think that’s why parents take painstaking efforts when deciding what to name their children.

We named our first son with my husband’s middle name, we named our youngest son after the city where we met, and we named our firstborn daughter Gracelyn to ensure that we would never forget to parent with grace.

We are raising our children to know the meaning of their names and their significance. We have also been teaching them about our surname—Braucher.

We want them to know that their family name brings with it a place they belong, endless love and values. We want them to know what it means to us and ultimately what we hope it will mean to them.

Our children have experienced many other names. Some received. Some digested. Some deflected. Always impactful. Here are a few:

• • Sensory Processing Disorder
  • ADHD
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
  • Anxiety
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  • Usher’s Syndrome
  • Cochlear Implant Recipient
  • Other Impairment
  • Special Needs
  • Disabilities
  • Extra
  • Dysfunctional

These names brought heartache, relief, and peace.

Heartache when the diagnosis brings news like this: “Your son’s hearing loss is caused by a genetic syndrome that also causes vision loss.”

As strange as it sounds, the names also brought relief. After years of speech therapy with no progress and not knowing what to do, a name brought with it direction and support!

The Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis brought peace when the puzzle symbol for Autism brought with it a whole new meaning. The name brought clarity to the collection of diagnoses from previous years. And an unexpected release from the condemnation and all too common advice that “his behaviors will change if you just discipline more.”

As parents, our hearts long to understand our children, to help them see their strengths, and support them in their weakness. We want to raise them this way so they will recognize their strengths and weaknesses on their own. We seek medical advice, spiritual guidance, nutritional support, and wise counsel and use it all to gain wisdom and understanding in an effort to care for our children to the best of our ability.

All that we learn becomes a continuum. What we knew about our children earlier might be different from what we know now because we have been exposed to new information or other methods.

We also remember that these names attached to our children have power.

The power to help, to heal, and sometimes to acquire life-changing support.

The power to hurt, and stigmatize, and limit one’s view if used without love and wisdom.

My prayer is…

that no matter what you or your children have been named, you will all find your identity in the God who created you,

that you let the name of God be the one that leads you and your children,

that the power names have for kids with disabilities is rooted in the name that matters most—Child of God.

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Photo by Ben Marler on Unsplash