The cost of the diagnosis. The invisible work of mothers with cognitively disabled children

Dyslexia and dyspraxia, cognitive disabilities and new school failure classifications are categories that unsettle the division of labor between those treating schooling difficulties. Doctors, psychologists and teachers fight over pedagogical expertise. And so do parents, in their role as ``partners'' in the support schemes. They witness the progress of their own position within measures for ``dys'' children. Mothers, in particular, are prime targets at the very heart of these paths, managing coordination issues between various professionals. They may also be ``victims'' of territorial power struggles. In order to be scholastically rewarding, every scheme requires a definite maternal commitment, and notably free time. These mothers may choose to work less or stop working altogether. Faced with the best interest of the child, these sacrificed professional lives are seldom mentioned, either publicly or in sociological research works.