I hear the phrase “the short bus” tossed around as a joke or metaphor for stupidity, and honestly, it hits different when your three autistic sons rode it.
For us, that bus wasn’t a punchline—it was a lifeline. It was part of what helped them get the education and support they deserved in a world that doesn’t always make space for neurodivergent kids.
So yeah, when I hear it used as a joke, it stings. I know most people don’t mean anything by it, but words have a way of shaping how we see the world—and how we see each other.
Using “the short bus” to mean less-than or stupid only reinforces the stereotype that kids with disabilities are somehow less. I can promise you, they’re not.
Here’s the thing: my sons and kids like them are some of the smartest, most determined people I know. They just navigate the world differently—and they’ve had to fight harder to do it.
So the next time you hear or think about using “the short bus” as a joke, I hope you’ll pause. Think about the kids who’ve ridden it, the challenges they’ve faced, and the brilliance they bring to the table.
Let’s use words that build people up, not tear them down. Thanks for hearing me out.