Carrie McLaren: Learning the Language of Special Needs

by Carrie McLaren from Jacksonville.com:
When my youngest daughter, Molly, was born with Down syndrome in 2010, I knew absolutely nothing about the special-needs world. It was an entirely new place for me, and besides the fear and shock of her diagnosis, I was scared for what the future held for our family.
In the months following Molly’s diagnosis, I wanted to educate myself on the language associated with Down syndrome. It was important to me to learn right from wrong and the proper usage of terms, but also understand how to help others come to terms with Molly’s condition.
As we’ve grown as a family, I’ve found it therapeutic to talk with others about Molly’s diagnosis. Yet, I’ve noticed there seems to be an uneasy feeling when others talk about Molly’s condition. It’s not a fear of asking questions or loving Molly — there’s certainly no shortage in that area. It’s the not knowing of how to actually refer to her condition.
The National Down Syndrome Society site’s preferred language reference guide is a wealth of information for a mom like me, new to the special-needs world.
And based on the knowledge I’ve gained from them, here’s my gentle introduction to the preferred language when referring to individuals with Down syndrome (or any disability for that matter).

People don’t “suffer” from Down syndrome and they certainly aren’t “afflicted” with it either.
Down syndrome isn’t a disease; you can’t “catch” it. It’s a chromosomal condition. In fact, there are 400,000 Americans living with Down syndrome.
While many times it’s referred to as Down’s syndrome, the preferred American usage is Down syndrome. English physician John Langdon Down characterized the condition but did not have it.
Individuals with Down syndrome (and any disability) should be referred to as people first. Always. Rather than “a Down syndrome girl” or a “Down’s child,” the proper wording should always be “a child with Down syndrome.” No exceptions.
This last one is the big one for me. A person should never be labeled by his diagnosis or condition.
While I understand that some may see this as trivial, to a parent of a child with special needs it’s extremely important and somewhat personal, too.
I want my daughter to be recognized as an individual, not by the fact that she just happens to have an extra chromosome.
I believe a “people-first language” should be applied to all people of all walks of life, not just individuals with Down syndrome. Everyone deserves the right to be thought of as a person and not as his disability.
I don’t feel it’s my place to correct others when they reference it incorrectly, because honestly before Molly was born I didn’t really know the “proper” way either. The only way to strengthen a community is to educate a community.
I may not be an expert in much, but I’m a mom raising a child with Down syndrome. I like to think that makes me an expert in love, understanding and kindness, too.

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-09-16/story/carrie-mclaren-learning-language-special-needs#ixzz26lNfpHBP

let's put the person first, not the disabilty

from Disabilty is Natural:

Do the words used to describe you have an impact on your life? You bet! Contrary to the age-old "sticks and stones" lesson we learned as children, words do matter!

For too long, people who happen to have conditions we call "disabilities" have been subjected to devaluation, marginalization, prejudice, and more.

And the first way to devalue someone is through language, by using words or labels to identify a person/group as "less-than," as "the others—not like us," and so forth.

Once a person/group has been identified this way, it makes it easier to justify prejudice and discrimination.

Our language shapes our attitudes; our attitudes shape our language; they're intertwined.

And our attitudes and language drive our actions!

Using People First Language—putting the person before the disability—and eliminating old, prejudicial, and hurtful descriptors, can move us in a new direction.

People First Language is not political correctness; instead, it demonstrates good manners, respect, the Golden Rule, and more—it can change the way we see a person—read the powerful "One Mother's Testimony" on the Explore/News and Notes page.

People First Language

"A person with Down syndrome." It seems like an easy thing to say, but many times the person in that sentence is forgotten and the diagnosis becomes the label.

Here are some basic guidelines for using People First Language from the NDSC:

Put people first, not their disability

• A "person with a disability", not a "disabled person"
• A "child with autism", not an "autistic child"

Use emotionally neutral expressions

• A person "with" cerebral palsy, not "afflicted with" cerebral palsy
• An individual who had a stroke, not a stroke "victim"
• A person "has" Down syndrome, not "suffers from" Down syndrome

Emphasize abilities, not limitations

• A person "uses a wheelchair", not "wheelchair-bound"
• A child "receives special education services", not "in special ed"

Adopt preferred language

• A "cognitive disability" or "intellectual disability" is preferred over "mentally retarded"
• "Typically developing" or "typical" is preferred over "normal"
• "Accessible" parking space or hotel room is preferred over "handicapped"