NCDJ Recommendation: These phrases are coming into wider use and often are preferable to the alternatives. Sometimes people with paraplegia refer to themselves as a para. In those cases, use the word in quotes. For example, they might say that an individual with Down syndrome lives with minimal or no extra l assistance. Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Psychiatrist: A mental health professional able to prescribe psychotropic medications. Physical damage to the brain: Brain damage can affect both structure and function. why is hearing impaired a slur. Instead, we hope you will double down to find out how people would like to be described. AP style: Disabled is described as a general term for a physical, mental, developmental or intellectual disability. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid the use of mongoloid to refer to someone with Down syndrome. Typical can be a better choice. Many people in the Deaf community and organizations, including the National Association of the Deaf, support the use of these terms. NCDJ Recommendation: Do not say someone has had a seizure unless there has been a medical diagnosis. Uppercase when referring to the Deaf community and lowercase when referring to the condition. It is not interchangeable with American sign language; in fact, its not sign language at all. Background: Non-disabled refers to someone who does not have a disability. Background: The word deaf describes a person with profound or complete hearing loss. Nasal, raspy or strained voice. This is increasingly tricky turf. NCDJ Recommendation: The term may not be understood by all, so an explanation may be required. Background: A person who has a congenital disability has had a disability since birth. Mayo Clinic. Background: The majority of people with disabilities have chronic conditions that are invisible or hidden. Background: Down syndrome is a congenital condition caused by the presence of an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21 in an individuals cell nuclei. She experiences symptoms of psychosis is preferable to She is psychotic. He has a bipolar disorder is preferable to He is bipolar.. Little People of America has a statement on the M word., The terms little people and little person refer to people of short stature and have come into common use since the founding of the Little People of America organization in 1957. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to someone as having dissociative identity disorder only if the information is relevant to the story and if youre confident there is a medical diagnosis. Many people prefer people-first language, such as a person with schizophrenia or a person diagnosed with schizophrenia rather than a schizophrenic or a schizophrenic person. Do not use the word schizophrenic colloquially as a synonym for something inconsistent or contradictory. When possible, ask sources how they would like to be described. Instead use the word condition and try to identify the specific diagnosis if possible. Background: ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a relatively common neurodevelopmental diagnosis. Specifically, some members of the autism and Deaf communities prefer identity-first language. Disability advocate Anthony Pulrang defines ableism in this way in an article for Forbes: Any statement or behavior directed at a disabled person that denigrates or assumes a lesser status for the person because of their disability. Additional material: I Dont Have Autism, Im Autistic, Lenny Letter. The term vegetative state is preferable to vegetable or veg, but it is considered offensive by some and is frequently misused. If a medical diagnosis is not available, use quotes around the term and indicate that a diagnosis has not been confirmed. If a medical diagnosis is not available, use quotes around the term and indicate that a diagnosis has not been confirmed. WebApraxia. Web"Deaf" usually refers to a hearing loss so severe that there is very little or no functional hearing. Many people prefer people-first language, such as a person with Tourette syndrome or a person diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. Avoid the acronym TS, as it is not widely known. However, only about 15% of those with eye conditions are totally blind. Patients may exhibit eye movements and other involuntary movements. NCDJ Recommendation: Terms such as battle and survivor are still widely accepted and understood, but the user should be aware that they could offend some people. The term high-functioning autism is widely used but is not a medical diagnosis, and many consider it offensive. Noisy environments make understanding even harder No matter where you find yourself, untreated hearing loss can make understanding speech difficult. Instead, deafness is often considered a culture. Use attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder on first reference; ADHD is acceptable on second reference. For example, the National Center on Deaf-Blindness retains the hyphen. WebBackground: The terms hearing impaired and hearing impairment are sometimes used to describe people with hearing loss that ranges from partial to complete. If a medical diagnosis is not available, use quotes around the word and indicate that a diagnosis has not been confirmed. Otherwise, use the terms disabled, disability or person with a disability.. Common congenital disabilities include Down syndrome, heart-related medical conditions and most forms of cerebral palsy. NCDJ Recommendation: Do not use these words, particularly when reporting on mental illness, unless they are part of a quote that is essential to the story. However, academics eventually found there was little scientific evidence that the technique worked, leading many to conclude the aide was actually the one communicating, according to a study from Emory University. In an official position statement, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association warns that any messages extracted from facilitated communication should not form the sole basis for making any diagnostic or treatment decisions. Other organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the International Society for Augmentive and Alternative Communication also oppose facilitated communication. Historically it was called mongoloidism, and people with it were called Mongoloids; this is now considered offensive. ear infection. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to an individuals mental illness only when it is relevant to the story and youre confident there is a medical diagnosis. It is characterized by new muscle weakness, joint and muscle pain and fatigue., NCDJ Recommendation: Use the term polio rather than infantile paralysis. In general, blind or legally blind is acceptable for people with complete or almost complete vision loss. The average height of a dwarf is 40.. Although many in the general public associate disability with people using wheelchairs or white canes or who are missing limbs, more people have conditions that cant be seen but are defined as disabilities under the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. AP style: Cripple is considered offensive when used to describe a person who is lame or disabled. AP style: Not addressed except in terms of abbreviation: AA is acceptable on second reference. Psychotherapist: An umbrella term for mental health professionals trained to treat people for their health problems. Archaeologist Elisa Perego coined the term long COVID to refer to people with lasting symptoms. NCDJ Recommendation: Ask the person with a disability how they prefer to be described; if thats not possible, ask a spokesperson for the organization representing the relevant disability for preferred terminology. This condition happens when a childs brain cant coordinate the muscles that enable speech. Background: Indicates a person who has some loss of both vision and hearing. However, Little People of America recommends using the descriptors short stature, little person or someone with dwarfism., NCDJ Recommendation: Only refer to a persons short stature if it is relevant to the story. Referring to someone as a paraplegic is offensive to some people as it implies that their condition defines them. Many chronic health conditions also are considered invisible disabilities, depending on their severity and impact on daily living. The Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf has a searchable database of registered interpreters. Individuals with learning disabilities have average or above average intelligence, and the term does not include a learning problem that is primarily the result of another cause, such as intellectual disabilities or lack of educational opportunity., NCDJ Recommendation: Use learning disability when youre confident there is a medical diagnosis. The technique was originally developed to help those with significant developmental disabilities, such as some forms of autism and cerebral palsy. WebMD explains the difference between epilepsy and seizures in this way: Seizures, abnormal movements or behavior due to unusual electrical activity in the brain, are a symptom ofepilepsy. It can be used with babies and older children. Background: Total blindness is the complete lack of perception of either light or form. The terms senility and senile denote conditions brought on by aging and often are used incorrectly to denote dementia. People with psychosis are described as psychotic. Background: The phrased disabled people is an example of identity-first language (in contrast to people-first language). Certain communities, such as the Muscular Dystrophy community and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy community, have embraced the term, but others argue that interabled relationships are relationships just like any other and should not be marked as different. OCD is often treated with pharmaceutical drugs, psychotherapy methods, or a combination of the two. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid terms like disorder or defect, which are considered derogatory. See also Insane/mentally deranged/psychopathology, Background: The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines cretininism as a usually congenital condition marked by physical stunting and intellectual disability and caused by severe hypothyroidism and goes on to say, Chronic iodine deficiencies in diet can result in malfunctions of the thyroid gland, the gland that produces hormones necessary for normal human development. The condition is a neural tube defect that occurs when the spinal column does not close all the way in the womb. NCDJ Recommendation: It is preferable to use neutral language when describing a person who has a disability, simply stating the facts about the nature of the disability. NCDJ Recommendation: While it is acceptable to use the terms developmental disability and developmental disabilities, it is preferable to use the name of the specific disability whenever possible. These same considerations apply when covering other 12-step programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous or Gamblers Anonymous. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to injuries as being sustained or received rather than suffered, as suffer implies that an injured person is a victim or somehow less than a person who has not been injured. Slurred speech after a stroke is the most common WebHearing-impaired This term is no longer accepted by most in the community but was at one time preferred, largely because it was viewed as politically correct. See entries on Depression and Mental illness/mental disorder. Background: Dumb was once widely used to describe a person who could not speak and implied the person was incapable of expressing himself or herself; it eventually came to be synonymous with silent.. See entry on Dissociative identity disorder/multiple personality disorder. Congenital is not interchangeable with genetic, as a genetic condition is present from birth but a congenital condition is not necessarily genetic. Even with the caveat that this does not apply to all, we have heard from many people with disabilities who take issue with that advice. WebFeeling Tired or Stressed. See also Insane/insanity/mentally deranged/psychopathology. Onset could be in infancy, childhood, middle age or later. Background: Dyslexia is a learning disability characterized by challenges identifying speech sounds and learning how to connect them to letters and words, according to the Mayo Clinic. Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears that lead to repetitive and often ritualized behaviors or compulsions. It is important to note that some autism advocates do not like this term; it tends to be embraced by self advocates, but not as frequently by families of people with autism who also have intellectual disabilities and other challenges. Similarly, there is not really a good way to describe the nature of a condition. Another commonly used term is twice exceptional or 2E, which refers to a child with a disability who also is diagnosed as gifted. Originally called falling sickness in English, the word has roots in Greek and Latin. Alcoholism is characterized by a loss of control in alcohol use, according to the American Psychiatric Association. There is an advocacy movement around this concept that argues against the idea that there is one normal or healthy type of brain or mind or one right style of neurocognitive functioning. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition. NCDJ Recommendation: Since the term is not in widespread use, its meaning should be explained for a general audience; ask sources how they prefer to describe their relationships whenever possible. A treatment center is an establishment usually run by psychiatric or medical professionals. The term special education is still widely used when referring to public school programs, although some government entities use titles like exceptional student services.. The center recommends against using the term harelip as it is anatomically incorrect and stigmatizing. A birth defect is a physical or biochemical difference that is present at birth. Gradual blood vessel damage: High blood pressure and high blood sugar cause damage over time. AP style: PTSD is acceptable on either first or second reference but should be spelled out at least one time. Specific disorders should be used and the source of the diagnosis identified whenever possible. Dont say that an awards show, for example, was schizophrenic.. Do not say the person had a fit or had an epileptic fit.. The institute states, It is common for people to have mixed dementia a combination of two or more types of dementia. In 2010, President Barack Obama signed a measure known as Rosas Law that replaced the term mental retardation with intellectual disability in many areas of government, including federal law. Neurodiversity basically means that brains operate differently and thats not a bad thing. (The proper terminology in the United Kingdom is Downs syndrome). In general, avoid using able-bodied except in a quote. To declare The following broad definitions are sourced from Psychology Today: NCDJ Recommendation: Ask professionals how they should be identified, based on their formal training. Dementia is not a specific illness; it refers to a wide range of symptoms. If you are in doubt about how to refer to a person, ask the person. AA is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism, according to the groups preamble. Background: The University of Kansas Research & Training Center on Independent Living describes this as a specific congenital disability involving the lip and gum. Most are proud to be Deaf. Background: Infantile paralysis is shorthand for poliomyelitis and was commonly used in the past to describe polio. There's nothing inherently negative about spasticity aside from the pain that can result from it but like many neutral words, people have used "spaz" to make The case for nonspeaking is outlined by the non-profit organization The Guild for Human Services. Do not use the terms addiction and dependence interchangeably. Inability to speak louder than a whisper or speaking too loudly. The Genome Research Institute offers comprehensive information about different genetic conditions, genetic testing and other pertinent topics. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid using these terms when describing a person with a disability or the programs designed to serve them, with the exception of government references or formal names of organizations and programs. For example, Down syndrome girl or autistic boy. An example of people-first language is a girl with Down syndrome or a boy with autism. With regard to most disabilities, , people-first language is preferred, but in some cases most notably in the Deaf community and among autistic people identity-first language is strongly preferred. In short, impairment refers to the condition of an organ or structure of the body; disability means that a person has a functional limitation due to an impairment. AP style: Not specifically addressed, but AP refers to paraplegia in its general disability entry. Refer to a disability only when its relevant to the story and, when possible, confirm the diagnosis with a reputable source, such as a medical professional or other licensed professional. NCDJ Recommendation: Someone with an amputation is generally acceptable. Manifestations may include stuttering, articulation errors or an inability to move the tongue (commonly referred to as tongue-tied). The federal definition of a service animal applies to any guide dog, signal dog or other animal trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. This may include animals that guide individuals with impacted vision, alert individuals with impacted hearing to intruders or sounds, provide minimal protection or rescue work, pull a wheelchair or fetch dropped items. Signs of albinism are usually apparent in a persons skin, hair and eye color, but sometimes differences are slight. It can cause changes in your behavior, movements or feelings, and in levels of consciousness. Background: Service animals are trained animals, usually dogs, that provide services to people with disabilities. Genetic disorders can be caused by a mutation in one gene (monogenic disorder), by mutations in multiple genes (multifactorial inheritance disorder), by a combination of gene mutations and environmental factors, or by damage to chromosomes (changes in the number or structure of entire chromosomes, the structures that carry genes).. The term dyslexic is used by some organizations as a noun and as an adjective in a non-pejorative way; however, using the word as a noun (describing a person as a dyslexic) appears to be falling out of use. Background: The two terms often are used interchangeably. Complications from spina bifida range from minor physical problems to significant intellectual and physical disabilities. Earwax buildup (cerumen) can occlude sound from passing through to the middle ear. It also causes pain, exhaustion, and shortness of breath, all of which interfere with speech. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid using lame or lamebrain to describe a person except in a quote. People may refer to themselves as limb different or as being part of a limb different community or as having an upper or lower body limb difference. Other terms commonly used to refer to people with Down syndrome include intellectually disabled, developmentally disabled and a person who has a cognitive disability or intellectual disability. The Global Down Syndrome Foundation considers all of these terms acceptable, while the National Down Syndrome Society suggests using cognitive disability or intellectual disability. Down syndrome also can be referred to as Trisomy 21. Referring to someone as an epileptic is often considered offensive. Dysarthria can often lead to a complete loss of speech known as anarthria. Brain damage. Others prefer it to disabled because dis means not, which means that disabled means not able. But particularly when it comes to referring to individuals, differently abled is problematic. Background: An alcoholic is someone who has the disease of alcoholism. Limited vision: Acceptable when a person is not legally or completely blind, Low vision: Acceptable when a person is not legally or completely blind. NCDJ Recommendation: It is acceptable to describe a person as someone with muscular dystrophy, followed by a short explanation of what the condition entails. The terms intellectually disabled, developmentally disabled, cognitive disability and intellectual disability are acceptable when used in a people-first context to describe someone with Down syndrome, such as the person has a developmental disability. However, it is more accurate to refer specifically to Down syndrome when that is the medically diagnosed condition. AA members do not pay dues or fees; rather, it is supported through contributions. Not every person with a disability suffers, is a victim or is stricken. NCDJ Recommendation: Do not use the term freak to describe a person with a disability as it is derogatory. Many experts classify autism as a developmental disability. Aging and exposure to loud noise may cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in the AP Style: The style book suggests avoiding the term and, instead, trying to be specific about the disability. The plural of dwarf is dwarfs.. Insane/insanity/mentally deranged/psychopathology, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Dwarf, little person/people/midget/short stature, Intellectual disabilities/intellectually disabled, Dwarf, little person/midget/short stature, Dissociative identity disorder/multiple personality disorder, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. If a medical diagnosis is not available, use quotes around the term and indicate that a diagnosis has not been confirmed. permanently and substantially confined to their immediate premises. NCDJ: Person with a disability is a more neutral term than differently-abled.. You can also download the NCDJ Style Guide as a PDF. There is some ambiguity about the difference between stuttering and stammering and which term is appropriate in different contexts. Signs and symptoms of dysarthria vary, depending on the underlying cause and the type of dysarthria. Common usages include cancer survivor, burn survivor, brain injury survivor or stroke survivor. However, the terms are disliked by some because they imply that those who die simply did not fight hard enough. However, some people still strongly support the method. It calls for use of a lower case d in all usages. It was first reported in 1866 by Dr. John Langdon Down and is characterized by a range of physical and cognitive characteristics, which the National Institutes of Health details. They also are sometimes called assistance animals, guide dogs, or Seeing Eye dogs. Various laws define disability differently. The references angered disability rights advocates, who argued that Hawking achieved remarkable success while using a wheelchair and a computerized voice system, not despite those devices. A signer is a person who may be able to communicate conversationally with deaf persons but who may not necessarily possess the skills and expertise to accurately interpret complex dialogue or information, according to the . When referring to the legislation whose name includes death with dignity, right-to-die or similar terms, say the law or proposal allows the terminally ill to end their own lives. If the term is in the name of a bill or law, make that clear. NCDJ Recommendation: It is preferable to use neutral language when describing a person who has a disability, simply stating the facts about the nature of the disability. The terms signer and interpreter often are used interchangeably but mean different things. The term functional needs is preferred when a term is required. Background: Muscular dystrophy could refer to any of more than 30 genetic conditions characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the muscles that control movement, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid these terms as they often are used inaccurately and can be offensive. Symptoms include restlessness, difficulty in focusing or staying organized and impulsivity. Finally, it cautions against using mental health terms to describe non-health issues. Deaf and hard of hearing are the terms recommended by the World Federation of the Deaf and The National Association of the Deaf. Some argue that the term commit implies that suicide is a criminal act, while others view the term commit as neutral. Background: According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, a genetic disorder is caused in whole or in part by a change in the DNA sequence away from the normal sequence. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to someone as having schizophrenia only if the information is relevant to the story and youre confident there is a medical diagnosis. NCDJ Recommendation: Many people prefer people-first language, such as a person with tetraplegia rather than tetraplegic, since this implies that the condition defines them. It is now widely considered a derogatory slur. Some are opposed to the use of AAC because of the belief that it will hinder language development. For example, They found the election results depressing.. Psychologist: A mental health professional trained in the discipline of psychology and who often does psychological testing and research. Heart attack: Heart attacks cause pain, exhaustion, and shortness of breath, which can result in slurred speech. Raisingdeafkids.org has a good list of related resources and more information. Avoid using the word shrink in reference to a mental health professional except in a quote. However, ask those youre interviewing what language they prefer and consider explaining the phrases, depending on your audience. Avoid using psychotic as an adjective to describe a person; instead refer to a person as having a psychotic condition or experiencing a psychosis. Avoid using the terms colloquially. However, organizations such as the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, the Mayo Clinic and the National Stuttering Association generally use the term stuttering to refer to the speech disorder. Amy Silverman, NCDJ advisory board member. When covering AA, consider referring to members by their first name only unless official references or context requires otherwise. But why does their speech get sloppier? Background: The terms hearing impaired and hearing impairment are sometimes used to describe people with hearing loss that ranges from partial to complete. WebDeafness is defined as "a hearing impairment that is so severe that the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification." If thats not possible, ask a spokesperson for the organization representing the relevant disability for preferred terminology. Background: A deformity is a condition in which part of the body does not have the typical or expected shape, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Too Much to Drink. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid using the terms high functioning and low functioning. Instead, use medical diagnoses and describe an individuals abilities and challenges, rather than using less-specific labels. Background: Paraplegia is defined as the loss of movement in the lower extremities and torso. Avoid using it casually as it may be offensive and inaccurate. It is a common learning disability among children, although adolescents and adults with dyslexia often exhibit symptoms as well. NCDJ Recommendation: The words abnormal or abnormality might be acceptable when describing scientific phenomena, such as abnormalities in brain function. Causes of hearing loss include: Damage to the inner ear. It is best to ask your sources what they prefer and take that into consideration. Instead, define it as an electronic device that can assist a person who is deaf or hard of hearing in understanding speech. Instead, always try to specify the type of disability being referenced.