I think it's important to use person-first language when talking about people with disorders/disabilities/diagnoses.
You wouldn't say 'the cancerous man... ' but people constantly say 'the autistic kid'
It's just a diagnosis - it doesn't define that person... so it's important to put the 'person first!'
for example,
rather than... the dyslexic girl the autistic kid
you might try... the girl with dyslexia the kid with autism etc.
just a little note -- I wanted to make a general thread, since this isn't targeted at anyone in particular... it's just something I've been seeing a lot of lately on here and on LIF
BlushingBride714
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
That's so funny Hayley - I was thinking the exact same thing. Thanks for posting! I remind people of that all the time with my nephew - it's such a subtle thing and people don't usually realize it but it makes a big difference mentally.
SusiBtoM
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
The child is still a child. Autism, dyslexia is an affliction, not a description.
SylvieB
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
soon2bmrsVPT
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
As a teacher, this is a huge pet peeve of mine. You never want to define an individual by their disability/disease/disorder. Thanks Hayley!
PeteysBride
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
good point. I try to be sensitive to this because I want to work with children with special needs and one of the required courses for us included a whole seminar on person-based language and being VERY careful on how we spoke to and about children. Not just those who are diagnosed with a level of autism, but all children. It is very easy to slip up and we all have at some point so its good to keep it at the front of your mind.
Thanks hayley!
PreshusSmurf
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
I honestly never realized that we do this, and never thought of the impact it could have. I'm glad you pointed it out.
carolinebr
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
Posted by PreshusSmurf
I honestly never realized that we do this, and never thought of the impact it could have. I'm glad you pointed it out.
ditto.
Mich0621
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
Bravo Hayley I see so many children who have delays and illnesses and it is so important to realize that they are human and not defined by their ailment!
Aug07OFCbride
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
...always a nice reminder, hayley!
DH has been a special educator for years and has always been very good about this. And studying to become a clinical psychologist, its also very important for me to always be sensitive about it as well...never referring to a client as their diagnosis ('the narcissist', 'the borderline,' 'the bulimic', etc), no matter who i am talking about or who i am talking to. i think it can really run the risk of tainting that way you approach a client (with biases) or a child and it shows an insensitivity. being mindful of it just shows a respect for the person or child.
on a more personal note, i never refer to myself as a 'disabled/ handicapped woman' first, rather i am a woman who lives with a disability. and i try not to refer to anyone else the former way either. im really thankful for how my mother guided me as a child and through the years. when i found out about having MD, she always taught me that 'I wasn't my MD.' It affected me, yes, due to certain logistical situations of getting around and so on...but it wasn't who I was. This was a wonderful lesson for me.
None of us are our diagnoses, disabilities or things we struggle with.
thx for posting hayley.
Athee07
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
Posted by soon2bmrsVPT
As a teacher, this is a huge pet peeve of mine. You never want to define an individual by their disability/disease/disorder. Thanks Hayley!
I second that!
Summer07Bride
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
I always correct people people when they say this as well
GettinHutched
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
Thanks for bringing it up Hayley, I always try to be cognizant of this. Many people just aren't aware....
MushesGirl
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
Posted by Summer07Bride
I always correct people people when they say this as well
So do I. I work in healthcare and so many of us are guilty of doing this, eg: the 'total hip', the 'stroke', the ' total knee' instead of mr...mrs...
the other really bad thing I see so very often is referring to a patient by ROOM NUMBER! eg: 402 bed b needs to go to the bathroom. 533 bed c just went to xray. SO FRUSTRATING! I always correct the person and say you mean mrs....
Thanks for bringing this up.
DLM107
Posted:
Member since
Re: Just a quick post.... person-first!
Great post. . .that is my biggest pet peeve. I am a speech language therapist as well and I have been working with children with Autism for over 10 years.
