Jun 26 2008
People First Language: Why it is so important
My biggest pet peeve in the world is to hear someone talk who does not use People First Language. When someone says “He is Down syndrome” it is like fingernails on a chalkboard for me! It grates on my nerves probably more than it does for most people, but it is just improper and if anything offending to the individual.
Years ago when we first began IMDSA, I wrote a paper for our information packet that our members receive with their membership that talks about People First Language. In this paper, I make the point that if a person has high blood pressure you wouldn’t say “She is high blood pressure” That sounds silly!
So, in the case of Down syndrome or any other kind of disability, you shouldn’t say “He is Down syndrome” or “The Down syndrome person”
Down syndrome is what they have. NOT who they are!
So, if you do this, please try to remember that people with Down syndrome are PEOPLE FIRST!
4 Responses to “People First Language: Why it is so important”
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I will correct my children if they say “down syndrome child” and ask them to use “child with down syndrome” but I do think there’s a difference between the ds diagnosis and say, high blood pressure or cancer. Those are diseases, abnormalities that are contracted in some way. Down syndrome DOES, in a very real way, identify much of who my son is. If he were deaf people would call him a deaf child, not a child who is deaf. Same with a blind child or tall child or good-natured child. When something is an integral part of the being of the child we are more likely to use it as an adjective before the noun. It is something that is an unchangable part of who they are–what sets them apart and identifies them from any other child. I prefer to hear “child with down syndrome” but I wouldn’t correct someone who said it like I would for using other offensive terminology.
You know what, I’ve actually never heard people say that. I’ve always heard the correct way that you indicated above. But I agree, I hate when people don’t use the correct wordage/grammar. Huge pet peeve. Mine is “I should of went,” instead of “I should have went.” ERG! Boggles my mind!!!
I personally do not know anyone with Down Syndrome but I just wanted to stop by and support what you are doing here. Keep up the great work!