As retired clinical psychologist and disability rights advocate Katherine Schneider notes, You take care of property To people you give care.. The terms depressed, depressing and depressive are acceptable in other contexts when the person being referenced does not have a medically diagnosed condition. It often is caused by a spinal cord or brain injury and is characterized by the loss of sensory and motor function. If you are in doubt about how to refer to a person, ask the person. Then numbers were assigned to words not just mentally retarded, but also terms like imbecile, idiot and moron.. See Dwarf, little person/people/midget/short stature. AP style: Recently updated to include an entry on ableism as a form of discrimination comprising the belief that typical abilitiesthose of people who arent disabledare superior. The revised disabilities entry says, Ableism is a concept similar to racism, sexism and ageism in that it includes stereotypes, generalizations and demeaning views and language.. In Franco-Provenal (the Romance speech of French Switzerland and adjacent areas of France), a person affected by hypothyroidism was called a cretin, literally, wretch, innocent victim, The word meant simply Christian and emphasized the hypothyroid victims basic humanity.. Background: Dissociative identity disorder is characterized by the emergence of two or more distinct personality states or identities in a persons behavior or consciousness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to someone as having autistic spectrum disorder only if the information is relevant to the story and if you are confident there is a medical diagnosis. 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. Background: The University of Kansas Research & Training Center on Independent Living describes this as a specific congenital disability involving the lip and gum. Background: The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines freak as one that is markedly unusual or abnormal, such as a person or animal having a physical oddity and appearing in a circus sideshow. This particular use of the word dates to the middle of the 19th century. This style guide, which covers dozens of words and terms commonly used when referring to disability, can help. Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears that lead to repetitive and often ritualized behaviors or compulsions. You can also download the NCDJ Style Guide as a PDF. 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. To become an interpreter, an individual must not only display bilingual and bicultural proficiency but also have the ability to mediate meanings across languages and cultures, both simultaneously and consecutively. Many dislike the terms because hearing impaired describes a person in terms of a deficiency or what they cannot do. Instead, deafness is often considered a culture. Earwax impaction is another culprit. These foods have important vitamins and help keep the lining of the throat healthy. Special thanks to Rebecca Monteleone, University of Toledo; Jon Henner, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Sherri Collins, Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; journalist Sara Luterman; Cronkite student Haley Tenore; the NCDJ advisory board and graduate assistants; and all the style guide readers who offered suggestions for this guide. Background: People-first language avoids defining people in terms of their disability. Less than one percent of the general population has schizophrenia, and it is treated mostly through the use of pharmaceutical drugs. However, use the term the person prefers if its possible to ask. Background: These phrases are used to describe conditions in which arms, legs, fingers, or toes are missing, not fully formed or shaped in a different way, either as a result of an amputation or a congenital condition. Many illnesses, such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis, are life-long conditions. NCDJ Recommendation: When referring to a cochlear implant, avoid describing it as a corrective device or one that would restore a deaf person to mainstream society. AP style:The style book defers to the National Association of the Deaf, stating: Hearing-impaired was a well-meaning term that is not accepted or used by many deaf and hard of hearing people.. If a medical diagnosis is not available, use quotes around the term and indicate that a diagnosis has not been confirmed. 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. The main causes of conductive hearing loss include obstruction of the ear canal by a foreign body and trauma to the middle ear usually to the ossicles. It is frequently used in such references as injuries suffered in a car accident.. Your liver can only break down a little alcohol at a time, Many people consider defect and other forms of the term offensive when describing a disability as they imply the person is deficient or inferior to others. AP style: The style book states that congenital disorder is acceptable and recommends being specific about the condition. Paraplegia is similar but does not affect the arms. People with these conditions often are referred to as quadriplegics and paraplegics, but these terms are considered offensive by some. Common symptoms of autism spectrum disorder include difficulties in communication, impaired social interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities, according to the Institute. slurred slowed hoarse stuttered rapid Depending on the underlying cause of your speech impairment, you may also experience other symptoms, such as: drooling Other symptoms include memory loss, emotional issues, disorientation and the development of other mental disorders. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid referring to an individual as a paraplegic. en abril 28, 2022 abril 28, 2022 moaning minnie synonym. AP style: The stylebook refers, without comment, to albino, albinos. Typical can be a better choice. Instead, say the person has paraplegia. While those with Tourette syndrome often can suppress tics by focusing on them, the disorder also can be treated with medication, relaxation techniques and therapy. Many people in North America who are deaf or hard of hearing use it as a primary means of communication. Avoid saying a person suffers from or is afflicted with the disease. Hearing is a prerequisite for the development of normal speech & language. NCDJ Recommendation:Avoid using cripple as either a noun or verb unless you are describing the crip movement or if its in a direct quote. Conforms to AP style: The stylebook cautions against describing an individual as mentally ill unless clearly pertinent to a story and the diagnosis is properly sourced. AP style: Not addressed except to recommend using hard of hearing without hyphens unless it is an adjective directly preceding a person. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to someone as having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder only if the information is relevant to the story and if you are confident the person has been medically diagnosed with the condition. It is acceptable to refer to someone as having spastic cerebral palsy, but it is derogatory to refer to someone as spastic or a spaz. When describing specific symptoms, it is always best to ask the person what terms they prefer. Most are proud to be Deaf. Otherwise, the term intellectually disabled is acceptable. According to the University of Washington. Triggers can be hard to predict, and they vary from individual to individual, but communicating the nature of your content builds audience trust. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition. Avoid use of Seeing Eye dog as Seeing Eye is a registered trademark of The Seeing Eye school in Morristown, N.J. Be aware that licensure and/or certification of service animals is a contentious issue in the disability community, so it may be best to refer to the federal definition. However, avoid using such words to describe a person. AA members do not pay dues or fees; rather, it is supported through contributions. Background: A person who has a congenital disability has had a disability since birth. 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. 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 . NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid referring to someone with a disability as sick or to their disability as a sickness. If a person is receiving medical treatment, then the word patient is appropriate; however, it should be avoided outside of a medical context. Background: The Center for Inclusive Design defines Plain English as a direct style of writing for people who can read at a reasonable level. News reports covering sensitive topics, such as abuse, assault, addiction, suicide, combat and violence, frequently contain descriptive scenarios that can deeply effect audiences. Background: The term special needs was popularized in the U.S. in the early 20th century during a push for special needs education to serve people with all kinds of disabilities. 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. 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. When possible, ask sources how they would like to be described. AAC may be used on second reference. People who use wheelchairs have widely different disabilities and varying abilities. It often is caused by a spinal cord or brain injury and is characterized by the loss of sensory and motor function. Finally, it cautions against using mental health terms to describe non-health issues. Background: Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 by Bill W. and Dr. Bob S. in Akron, Ohio, according to the AA General Service Office. Some content can spark difficult memories for people with certain mental illnesses and phobias.Trigger warnings communicate that upcoming content may produce unpredictable and unwelcome reactions for some readers. Many times, though, the cause of a seizure is unknown.. Those with dysarthria often slur or drag their words when they try to pronounce them. MD is acceptable on second reference. Mute and dumb imply that communication is not possible. Advocacy groups call it death with dignity or right-to-die, but AP does use those phrases on their own. However, its use is relatively rare and not generally accepted. Senator John McCain died in the summer of 2018. Journalists also may want to include such warnings in material distributed to a general audience. It helps people who want to read and understand information quickly. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to someone as catatonic only if it is part of a medical diagnosis. WebAccording to the National Association of the Deaf, there are approximately 28 million deaf and hearing-impaired people in the U.S.--roughly 10 percent of the total population. Ask your sources for their preference. NCDJ Recommendation: Use Americans with Disabilities Act on first reference; ADA is acceptable on second reference. This condition happens when children slur their words It is preferable to say, He had polio as a child;She contracted polio as an adult, or He has post-polio syndrome rather than He suffers from polio or He is a victim of polio., Background: Injury is commonly used to describe any harm or damage to an individual as the result of an accident or other event. Archaeologist Elisa Perego coined the term long COVID to refer to people with lasting symptoms. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid using hearing impaired or hearing impairment. For those with total hearing loss or who identity as a member of the Deaf community, deaf is acceptable. Neurodiversity basically means that brains operate differently and thats not a bad thing. When possible, ask if a person or group uses identity-first language (deaf students) or person-first language (students who are deaf). If thats not possible, ask a spokesperson for the organization representing the relevant disability for preferred terminology. However, people with speech and hearing disabilities are capable of expressing themselves in writing, through sign language and in other ways. The word special in relationship to those with disabilities is now widely considered offensive because it euphemistically stigmatizes that which is different. It is widely viewed as legitimate and important. Background: Bipolar disorder is a mental illness believed to be caused by a combination of genetic factors and neurological functioning, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. NCDJ Recommendation: The term non-disabled and the phrases does not have a disability or is not living with a disability are more neutral choices. NCDJ Recommendation: Behavioral health hospital or psychiatric hospital are the preferred terms to describe medical facilities specifically devoted to treating people with mental health conditions. NCDJ Recommendation: All the terms are acceptable, although, because they are not widely used, an explanation is required for a general audience. Background: Members of the disability community argue that characterizing people with a disability as sick or referring to them as patients signals there is something unwell about them or that they are in need of medical attention, when, in fact, that is often not the case. In the second case, the answer is maybe. If the hikers blindness contributed to him or her getting stranded, making note of that fact is relevant. A child learns to speak by hearing the speech of others in the family and surroundings. AP style: Not specifically addressed, but the style book refers to mental health professional in an entry on mental illness. The term vegetative state is preferable to vegetable or veg, but it is considered offensive by some and is frequently misused. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to someone as having bipolar disorder only if the information is relevant to the story and you are confident there is a medical diagnosis. While caregiver and caretaker often are used interchangeably, they imply something different. Help them exercise regularly. It does not involve split personalities. Many people in the Deaf community prefer the use of a lowercase d to refer to audiological status and the use of a capital D when referring to the culture and community of Deaf people. But what is relevant is not always clear. If a medical diagnosis is not available, use quotes around the term and indicate that a diagnosis has not been confirmed. Instead, we hope you will double down to find out how people would like to be described. Even the term disability is not universally accepted. Ear infections can do the same. Background: The terms mentally retarded, retard and mental retardation were once common terms that are now considered outdated and offensive. Do not refer to an unsuccessful suicide attempt. Refer instead to an attempted suicide.. Keah Brown, a writer and disability activist who has cerebral palsy, tweeted in 2018: I just really cant stand the word cripple, so whenever I see it, I block it out. In some cases, the word typical can be used to describe a non-disabled condition, although be aware that some in the disability community object to its use. Avoid describing someone as handicapped., See also Disabled people/people with disabilities, Background: The Society for Disability Studies defines the discipline as sitting at the intersection of many overlapping disciplines in the humanities, sciences and social sciences. Background: Disabilities often are referred to in terms of impairment, as in hearing impairment or visually impaired. Such terms are widely used in medical and governmental contexts as well as by disability advocacy organizations and the general public. Background: Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by tics, sudden, purposeless and rapid movements or vocalizations, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders. Specify the type of condition if it is known. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid describing people as gifted or twice exceptional unless they have been identified as such by a professional. It calls for use of a lower case d in all usages. Dont assume all people who engage in misuse have an addiction. Background: These terms refer to a variety of ways that people communicate without speaking. The following broad definitions are sourced from Psychology Today: NCDJ Recommendation: Ask professionals how they should be identified, based on their formal training. Additional material: I Dont Have Autism, Im Autistic, Lenny Letter. Severity and symptoms vary widely. A nonspeaking individual may understand and use language just in a different way, such as through American Sign Language. If one method of communication fails to work, try another. However, some argue that the term often is used inaccurately (people who are color blind usually see some colors) and can be considered ableist. Some members of the disability community oppose its use because it implies that all people with disabilities lack able bodies or the ability to use their bodies well. AP style: Not specifically addressed, but the style book suggests not using such terms without asking for an individuals preference. In those cases, attribute the term or note its historic use. Psychoanalyst: A specific type of psychotherapist trained to work with both an individuals unconscious and unconscious mind. NCDJ Recommendation: Non-disabled or does not have a disability are acceptable terms when referring to people who do not identify as having a disability. Those with an ADHD diagnosis may also exhibit difficulty sitting still or engaging in quiet activities. NCDJ Recommendation: The term may not be understood by all, so an explanation may be required. Even in the case of a direct quote, consider how offensive the term is and include the historical context if possible. 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. Alternatively, it is acceptable to say that a person has had a disability since birth or was born with a disability. State the specific disability if possible. 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. Background: Prelingually deaf refers to individuals who were born deaf or became deaf prior to learning to understand and speak a language, according to Gallaudet University, a university for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing in Washington, D.C. Postlingually deaf or late-deafened describes people who lost their hearing ability after they learned to speak a language. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to someone as having OCD only if the information is relevant to the story and youre confident there is a medical diagnosis. Ask individuals how they prefer to be described. Some prefer being called dyslexic, others prefer people-first language, as in a person with dyslexia.. Do not say the person had a fit or had an epileptic fit.. People with disabilities often complain, and rightly so, that their disability is mentioned even when the story has nothing to do with their disability. The term functional needs is preferred when a term is required. 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