EPISODE · Mar 10, 2026 · 40 MIN
325. What We Wish We’d Known About Infantilizing
from The Lucky Few · host The Lucky Few Podcast
Show NotesIn this episode of were talking about infantilizing — what it is, how it shows up, and why it matters.To infantilize someone is to treat them as younger or less capable than they are. For people with disabilities, this often shows up in subtle but harmful ways: baby talk, lowered expectations, behavior plans for age-appropriate teen behavior, speaking about someone as if they aren’t in the room, or limiting choices because we assume immaturity.We share real stories:When typical high school behavior is labeled as a disability issueHow communication differences get mistaken for lack of intelligenceThe risk of tying maturity to verbal skillsThe hidden cost of withholding autonomy and choiceHow even we, as parents, have had to unlearn assumptionsWe talk about the radical assumption of competence — and how dignity starts with how we speak.Our kids’ age is their age.Their interests don’t define their intelligence.And adults deserve to be treated like adults.This conversation is nuanced. It’s uncomfortable at times. But it’s necessary.Let’s raise expectations.Let’s offer real choices.And let’s stop talking to adults like they’re toddlers.CONNECT WITH THE PODCASTWEBSITEINSTAGRAMFACEBOOKCONNECT WITH HEATHER AVISWEBSITE: THE LUCKY FEW OFFICIALIG: THELUCKYFEWOFFICALFACEBOOKI LIKE YOU SO MUCHTHIS IS DOWN SYNDROMECONNECT WITH MERCEDES LARAIG: HOORAY4THELARASIG: HUMANLY.TVFACEBOOKCONNECT WITH MICHA BOYETTMICHABOYETT.COMIG: ACEFACEISMYFRIENDIG: MICHABOYETTLISTEN TO THE SLOW WAYDISCOUNT CODEFriends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on The Lucky Few Merch Shop and use code PODCAST for 10% off!HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVEInterested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email [email protected] for more information!LET’S CHATEmail [email protected] with your questions and Good News or Shout Outs for future episodes.
What this episode covers
Show NotesIn this episode of were talking about infantilizing — what it is, how it shows up, and why it matters.To infantilize someone is to treat them as younger or less capable than they are. For people with disabilities, this often shows up in subtle but harmful ways: baby talk, lowered expectations, behavior plans for age-appropriate teen behavior, speaking about someone as if they aren’t in the room, or limiting choices because we assume immaturity.We share real stories:When typical high school behavior is labeled as a disability issueHow communication differences get mistaken for lack of intelligenceThe risk of tying maturity to verbal skillsThe hidden cost of withholding autonomy and choiceHow even we, as parents, have had to unlearn assumptionsWe talk about the radical assumption of competence — and how dignity starts with how we speak.Our kids’ age is their age.Their interests don’t define their intelligence.And adults deserve to be treated like adults.This conversation is nuanced. It’s uncomfortable at times. But it’s necessary.Let’s raise expectations.Let’s offer real choices.And let’s stop talking to adults like they’re toddlers.CONNECT WITH THE PODCASTWEBSITEINSTAGRAMFACEBOOKCONNECT WITH HEATHER AVISWEBSITE: THE LUCKY FEW OFFICIALIG: THELUCKYFEWOFFICALFACEBOOKI LIKE YOU SO MUCHTHIS IS DOWN SYNDROMECONNECT WITH MERCEDES LARAIG: HOORAY4THELARASIG: HUMANLY.TVFACEBOOKCONNECT WITH MICHA BOYETTMICHABOYETT.COMIG: ACEFACEISMYFRIENDIG: MICHABOYETTLISTEN TO THE SLOW WAYDISCOUNT CODEFriends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on The Lucky Few Merch Shop and use code PODCAST for 10% off!HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVEInterested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email [email protected] for more information!LET’S CHATEmail [email protected] with your questions and Good News or Shout Outs for future episodes.
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325. What We Wish We’d Known About Infantilizing
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