Originally Posted by MegMeg
Originally Posted by deacongirl
people first language is very important to the self-advocates that I know, so they would strongly encourage "daughter with Trisomy xx". Thanks!

There's no consensus on this one. Some argue that "person first" language has exactly the reverse of the intended effect.

This article from Neuroskeptic puts it well (though the tone starts out a little snarky): http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/n...guage-that-is-person-first/#.UUXvSxnldWt

This seminal piece from 1999 was written by an autistic person: http://autismmythbusters.com/genera...air-why-i-dislike-person-first-language/

This one covers much of the same territory, but adds an important point about the "euphemism treadmill": http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3519176/

Just some food for thought!

Maybe true--as said I don't know about all disabilities, I think autism may be unique. But I have never met anyone with Down syndrome/Trisomy 21 or their family members who appreciate being called a "downs kid" or even worse a "downs". Never. And I believe in calling people what they want to be called, so I will listen to the self-advocates I know who have very strong feelings about his and have spoken eloquently about it. My son is not defined by Down syndrome and he wants people to recognize that.

Edited to add: I will confine my personal experience to Down syndrome. Re: other disabilities I don't think it is that difficult to find out and use the language preferred.

Last edited by deacongirl; 03/17/13 11:42 AM.