--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I like to think of my son as having an…" description: "\"I like to think of my son as having an extra puzzle piece rather than missing one.\" — Stuart Duncan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fd/stuart-duncan-28094_extras_i-like-to-think-of-my-son-as-having-an-e_187504.png" --- # I like to think of my son as having an extra puzzle piece… ![“I like to think of my son as having an extra puzzle piece rather than missing one.” quote by Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fd/stuart-duncan-28094_extras_i-like-to-think-of-my-son-as-having-an-e_187504.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fd/stuart-duncan-28094_extras_i-like-to-think-of-my-son-as-having-an-e_187504.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fd/stuart-duncan-28094_extras_i-like-to-think-of-my-son-as-having-an-e_187504.png) > “I like to think of my son as having an extra puzzle piece rather than missing one.” [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeing a child as having an extra piece rather than a missing one reframes perceived differences as additions, not deficits. **In simple terms:** Viewing differences as additions, not deficits. Key Takeaway Embrace uniqueness as a strength. Themes inclusion parenting self‑esteem diversity Mood accepting hopeful Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - family dynamics - education - social interaction Key Concepts neurodiversity strength‑based perspective Questions to Reflect On - How does this view affect your expectations? - What support does your child still need? A Different Perspective May overlook challenges the child faces. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Puzzles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puzzles/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [To raise a son by yourself and not having a car or not having the right income to make sure he can do all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bam-adebayo/to-raise-a-son-by-yourself-and-not-having-a-car-or-not-having-the/) [Bam Adebayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bam-adebayo/) > [“Our son’s having his first sleepover,” he said softly. “And I’ll bet he’s having the time of his life.” Tate”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloane-kennedy/our-son-s-having-his-first-sleepover-he-said-softly-and-i-ll-bet-he-s/) [Sloane Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloane-kennedy/) > [I never wanted to have any extra money, if it meant having to have any extra work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/i-never-wanted-to-have-any-extra-money-if-it-meant-having-to-have-any/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [When you have used your beauty to get around, it's like having extra cash in your back pocket. I was so used to walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulina-porizkova/when-you-have-used-your-beauty-to-get-around-it-s-like-having-extra/) [Paulina Porizkova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulina-porizkova/) > [It doesn't hurt having an extra long camp, can't hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/it-doesn-t-hurt-having-an-extra-long-camp-can-t-hurt/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [Life is a puzzle. Every piece fits together to create who we are, what we do, how we feel. Every experience shapes us into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle/life-is-a-puzzle-every-piece-fits-together-to-create-who-we-are-what/) [Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle/) > [A lot of my songs, they're like puzzle pieces, and there's just one way to put them together. 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Now, it's like trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/selena-gomez/i-have-to-admit-at-first-it-was-really-overwhelming-and-i-would-get/) [Selena Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/selena-gomez/) > [I've been an acquaintance of the president Ryan Glover for some years and for a couple years we've been talking about possibilities, puzzle pieces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-gordon/i-ve-been-an-acquaintance-of-the-president-ryan-glover-for-some-years/) [Ed Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-gordon/) > [I have moments like that alot, when my brain falls asleep or something, and the next thing I know I've missed something, as if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-have-moments-like-that-alot-when-my-brain-falls-asleep-or-something/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More by Stuart Duncan > [Parent's job = Prepare the child for the world. Parent of autistic child's job = Prepare the world for the child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/parent-s-job-prepare-the-child-for-the-world-parent-of-autistic-child/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [Hugs may come less frequently from someone with autism but when they do, you know it means everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/hugs-may-come-less-frequently-from-someone-with-autism-but-when-they/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [Goodwill is earned by many acts; it can be lost by one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/goodwill-is-earned-by-many-acts-it-can-be-lost-by-one/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [If you can't see the gift in having a child with autism, you're focusing too much on the autism and not enough on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/if-you-can-t-see-the-gift-in-having-a-child-with-autism-you-re/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [If a person calls themself 'autistic' and you tell them they have to use 'person first language'... you're not putting the person first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/if-a-person-calls-themself-autistic-and-you-tell-them-they-have-to/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [Forget the shoes, forget the mile long walk... just stop judging each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/forget-the-shoes-forget-the-mile-long-walk-just-stop-judging-each/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [The whole world can believe in you but that won't mean a thing if you don't believe in yourself too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/the-whole-world-can-believe-in-you-but-that-won-t-mean-a-thing-if-you/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [Autism; It's not new just because you haven't heard of it until now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/autism-it-s-not-new-just-because-you-haven-t-heard-of-it-until-now/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [Never underestimate someone with Autism, because there could be Brilliance struggling to get out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/never-underestimate-someone-with-autism-because-there-could-be/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [It is one's duty to make the most of the best that is in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/it-is-one-s-duty-to-make-the-most-of-the-best-that-is-in-him/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [Yes some people say ignorant things about autism but silencing them solves nothing. They need to be educated. That's how things change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/yes-some-people-say-ignorant-things-about-autism-but-silencing-them/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [While fighting for acceptance, we must remember that our own self worth is not determined by whether or not we get it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/while-fighting-for-acceptance-we-must-remember-that-our-own-self/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [Autism is the filter through which all my other senses must pass, both input and output.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/autism-is-the-filter-through-which-all-my-other-senses-must-pass-both/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [Autism, like a rainbow, has a bright side and a dark side and even though it can mean rough weather, it can be beautiful!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/autism-like-a-rainbow-has-a-bright-side-and-a-dark-side-and-even/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) > [Autism is not a choice. Acceptance is. Imagine if the opposite was true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-duncan/autism-is-not-a-choice-acceptance-is-imagine-if-the-opposite-was-true/) [Stuart Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) [Explore all 20 Stuart Duncan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-duncan/) ## More Extras quotes > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) > [We've all seen talented young players who get to a certain level but there comes a point where that talent will only take you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-gatland/we-ve-all-seen-talented-young-players-who-get-to-a-certain-level-but/) [Warren Gatland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-gatland/) > [The things that don't happen to us that we'll never know didn't happen to us. 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