December 22, 2005
Another View of the Least Dangerous Assumption

The last issue of Disability Solutions looks at an idea called the least dangerous assumption. Cheryl Jorgensen does a wonderful job of bringing credibility to what so many parents experience day after day, year after year. Whenever someone new comes into our lives we confront the theme of assumptions vs. creative support. I’ve heard hundreds, if not thousands, of stories along these lines. I am confident this article will challenge attitudes across the board.

I should never be smug about these things—there is always another valid and important story to be told that I’ve not considered. The other day, a friend of mine wrote me with an interesting twist. What about situations where the assumption is the person does not need supports when they do? She explains it something like this:

"The prevailing assumption for most children with spina bifida is that they are very capable and competent. Yet many times there is a gap between what they sound like they are able to do and what they can accomplish without support or modification. When the person’s performance isn’t up to the expected level—which is based on assumptions made rather than observation, data, or time spent with them—people think they are lazy, unmotivated, malingering, and their parents deemed “over protective.”

"My son’s social skills, wit, and verbal abilities give the impression he is extremely capable and has no intellectual disability, but he does. It’s an odd feeling to need to convince people that despite appearances, he can’t do what they ask without support! Most of my friends who have kids with Down syndrome or cerebral palsy must constantly say the opposite (that they can do what they ask with support)! "

I called her after receiving her email and we talked a long time. Having been on the one side—fighting for people to see what my son can do—for so long, I had not considered another angle to this topic. My friend believes in her son and always challenges him, and others, to think outside of the box to create a fulfilling life for him. She is an amazing wizard of assistive technology, making possible what others thought was not. Our conversations around building our children’s future are often very similar. So this took me by surprise.

Having thought about it a while, I realized we’re not saying different things. What is the least dangerous assumption? That everyone is indeed able to learn and grow—and wants to. Yet at the same time, everyone—and I mean everyone—needs some support (including you and me). Our job is to find out what that support is, based on each individual, rather than our assumptions.

In her article, Cheryl quotes Anne Donnelan: “…we should assume that poor performance is due to instructional inadequacy rather than to student deficits.” We must remember to apply that to all students, all people. If a student who does not appear to have an intellectual disability is performing poorly, rather than assume it is the student’s problem—he is lazy, unmotivated, or over-protected—we should be looking for why the student did not do as well as expected and what support he may need to be successful.

Why is this so difficult to do? Probably because our ego, philosophies, and assumptions get in the way. Most people are not comfortable with the notion that when a person is unsuccessful, it is because they didn’t offer the right support. I know I take it personally at times. It is important to remember that it isn’t about us; it’s about the people we serve, whether that's your child, a student, or a customer.

For me, the lesson embedded in the least dangerous assumption is to make no assumption. It isn’t about me, it’s about my son. If I keep my focus on what works for him—even when it’s hard to do—the support he needs is clear, effective, and life is good.

Warmly,

Joan Guthrie Medlen, RD, LD, is the Project Director of Creating Solutions, Founding Editor of Disability Solutions, and the mother of two grown boys, one of whom has Down syndrome, autism, and celiac disease.

PS- Check my fundraising page and Volunteer Page for ways you can support the work of Creating Solutions.

©2005 Joan Guthrie Medlen
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The opinions shared in this Blog are not necessarily those of Creating Solutions or The San Francisco Foundation Community Initiative Funds.