Background: Cerebral palsy refers to a number of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. When referring to a drug test, state that the person tested positive for (drug)., NCDJ Recommendation: Addiction is an acceptable term, although some prefer substance abuse disorder. It is preferable to refer to someone who harmfully uses drugs as someone with a drug addiction rather than an addict. Use recovering or in recovery from to refer to someone trying to overcome an addiction; that is, someone recovering from a methamphetamine addiction.. She experiences symptoms of psychosis is preferable to She is psychotic. He has a bipolar disorder is preferable to He is bipolar.. Background: Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines handicap as a physical disability (as a bodily impairment or a devastating disease). The term has fallen out of favor in the disability community. Background: The University of Kansas Research & Training Center on Independent Living describes these as chronic medical conditions characterized by neurological impairment, muscle pain and weakness, respiratory problems and gastrointestinal complaints. Signs and symptoms of dysarthria vary, depending on the underlying cause and the type of dysarthria. However, only about 15% of those with eye conditions are totally blind. slurred slowed hoarse stuttered rapid Depending on the underlying cause of your speech impairment, you may also experience other symptoms, such as: drooling Bipolar disorder used to be referred to as manic depressive illness, but that is no longer the case. Background: This term is used to describe someone who does not identify as having a disability. 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. The term seizure is preferred when referring to the brief manifestation of symptoms common among those with epilepsy. The term special education is still widely used when referring to public school programs, although some government entities use titles like exceptional student services.. Webwhy is hearing impaired a slur. 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. Its considered offensive. Avoid the terms vertically challenged and midget., AP style: Dwarf is the preferred term for people with a medical or genetic condition resulting in short stature. Midget is considered offensive. combination of your inner ear and the nerves in your ear. Euthanasia should not be used to describe medically assisted suicide or physician-assisted suicide. The AP also suggests using resources from www.reportingonsuicide.org. Background: The phrased disabled people is an example of identity-first language (in contrast to people-first language). According to the University of Kansas Research & Training Center on Independent Living, post-polio syndrome is a condition that affects some persons who have had poliomyelitis (polio) long after recovery from the disease. 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. Background: According to the University of Kansas Research & Training Center on Independent Living, learning disability describes a neurologically based condition that may manifest itself as difficulty learning and using skills in reading (called dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia), mathematics (dyscalculia) and other cognitive processes due to differences in how the brain processes information. According to Merriam Webster, homebound means confined to the home. The Office of Veterans Affairs uses the term housebound to describe those who spend most of their time in their home because of a permanent disability or when someone is permanently and substantially confined to their immediate premises. However, the terms are sometimes applied incorrectly to people with disabilities who require some mobility assistance but who are relatively independent. 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. NCDJ Recommendation: When writing about Tiffany Yus group, use Diversability as a proper name. Psychotherapist: An umbrella term for mental health professionals trained to treat people for their health problems. Avoid alcoholic, addict, user and abuser unless individuals prefer those terms for themselves or if they occur in quotations or names of organizations, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Instead, state the nature of the disability or injury. AP style: Included in its Disabled/Handicapped entry, the stylebook describes blind as a person with complete loss of sight and suggests using the terms visually impaired or person with low vision for those who have some sight. Background: Catatonia is a state in which a person does not move and does not respond to others. Many people in the Deaf community and organizations, including the National Association of the Deaf, support the use of these terms. Background: Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 by Bill W. and Dr. Bob S. in Akron, Ohio, according to the AA General Service Office. why is hearing impaired a slur. People with these conditions often are referred to as quadriplegics and paraplegics, but these terms are considered offensive by some. NCDJ Recommendation: Do not use the term freak to describe a person with a disability as it is derogatory. NCDJ Recommendation: Both terms are acceptable, although many people prefer people-first language, stating that someone is a person with an intellectual disability rather than referring to the person as intellectually disabled. Some prefer the term congenital disorder. Too Much to Drink. They also are sometimes called assistance animals, guide dogs, or Seeing Eye dogs. The device does not fully restore hearing, but it gives a representation of sounds to help a person understand speech. 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. 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. 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. When interviewing someone who is non-verbal, be flexible. Referring to someone as a paraplegic is offensive to some people as it implies that their condition defines them. AP style: The style book states that congenital disorder is acceptable and recommends being specific about the condition. Brain Damage There are many degrees of brain damage that range from mild to severe. Other terms are acceptable for those with some vision loss. Earwax buildup (cerumen) can occlude sound from passing through to the middle ear. Use the term hypothyroidism instead. Do your best. People with albinism also are sensitive to the effects of the sun and are at increased risk of developing skin cancer., According to the National Organization on Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH), there is debate over whether albinism is a disability, but it is often referred to as one because of issues associated with vision. Legal definitions vary from state to state. Mayo Clinic. It is widely viewed as legitimate and important. NCDJ Recommendation: Because it is not commonly used, particularly in the U.S., include a definition when using the term. It can be used with babies and older children. 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. WebYSK that "Hearing Impaired" term is incorrect and offensive, use Hard of Hearing when referring to the demographic. 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. 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. This is caused by the muscles that are used to create speech not functioning properly or to their best ability. The institute states, It is common for people to have mixed dementia a combination of two or more types of dementia. The language around COVID-19 is evolving. WebInclude plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in their diet. Background: Indicates a person who has some loss of both vision and hearing. When possible, ask if a person or group uses identity-first language (deaf students) or person-first language (students who are deaf). NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid terms like disorder or defect, which are considered derogatory. 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. AP style: Not addressed except to state that homebound and housebound are one word with no hyphens. NCDJ Recommendation:Avoid using invalid to describe a person with a disability except in a direct quote. 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. The phrase abnormal behavior reflects social-cultural standards and is open to different interpretations. Background: Non-disabled refers to someone who does not have a disability. Some argue that the term commit implies that suicide is a criminal act, while others view the term commit as neutral. When renowned scientist Stephen Hawking died in 2018, media accounts referred to him as finally free of the wheelchair he used for decades. Background: These terms refer to a variety of ways that people communicate without speaking. NCDJ Recommendation: The word stuttering is preferred over stammering. While people-first language is generally preferred (a person who stutters), some individuals may prefer stutterer. When possible, ask. Many medical organizations do not use a hyphen when spelling posttraumatic; however the AP does. Many people with chronic illnesses do not consider themselves disabled and thus may be offended by the term. The stylebook also warns against drawing a connection between mental illness and violent crime and recommends that any source used to characterize a criminal suspects mental health history should have the authority to speak on the matter. If Full Deaf, call them Deaf. The American Psychiatric Association discourages using derogatory language such as the term junkie to refer to someone who misuses drugs. The term high-functioning autism is widely used but is not a medical diagnosis, and many consider it offensive. NCDJ Recommendation: It is preferable to use a medical professionals diagnosis or, if that is not possible, terms such as comatose or non-responsive. Avoid referring to someone as a vegetable or veg as such words dehumanize the person. NCDJ Recommendation: The words abnormal or abnormality might be acceptable when describing scientific phenomena, such as abnormalities in brain function. Finally, it cautions against using mental health terms to describe non-health issues. 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. As retired clinical psychologist and disability rights advocate Katherine Schneider notes, You take care of property To people you give care.. Background: Autism spectrum disorder is a group of complex disorders related to brain development, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It is characterized by new muscle weakness, joint and muscle pain and fatigue., NCDJ Recommendation: Use the term polio rather than infantile paralysis. According to the National Institute on Aging, other dementias include Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal disorders and vascular dementia. Those in Deaf culture have never seen themselves as disabled. The American Psychiatric Association offers a useful media guide of appropriate terms. For example, a person may be able to describe having low central or peripheral vision. If a medical diagnosis is not available, use quotes around the term and indicate that a diagnosis has not been confirmed. 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. 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. In the past, we have encouraged journalists and others to use person-first language (such as, a person who has Down syndrome rather than a Down syndrome person) as a default. Jonas Salk introduced the polio vaccine in the 1950s, which drastically reduced cases of polio in the U.S. If the persons sight had nothing to do with the situation, leave it out. Examples of developmental disabilities include autism spectrum disorder, spina bifida, cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities. 3. Background: Diversability is a term coined by Tiffany Yu, a disability rights advocate. Did you know that Background: Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individuals life experiences. Use quotes when officials or family members use a term such as a history of mental illness to refer to an individual, and when appropriate, indicate that the diagnosis has not been confirmed. Background: ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a relatively common neurodevelopmental diagnosis. These conditions also are called toxicant-induced loss of tolerance, environmental illness or sick-building syndrome.. As some advocates observe, we are all differently abled. According to the University of Washington. 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. They give audiences a choice on whether or not to proceed with consuming the information. 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. The medical profession favors use of the terms mental disorder or psychopathology. In U.S. criminal law, insanity is a legal question, not a medical one. And if you cant ask the person, dont avoid writing about disability. A genetic condition is congenital, but a congenital condition is not necessarily genetic. Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Use obsessive-compulsive disorder on first reference; OCD is acceptable in second reference. 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.. 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. Your liver can only break down a little alcohol at a time, It is acceptable to refer to someone as deaf or hard of hearing. Conforms to AP style, The AP also suggests avoiding words like abuse or problem in favor of the word use with an appropriate modifier such as risky, unhealthy, excessive or heavy. Misuse also is acceptable. Dont say that an awards show, for example, was schizophrenic.. Some prefer being called dyslexic, others prefer people-first language, as in a person with dyslexia.. The fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders consolidates all autism disorders under the larger autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Specific disorders should be used and the source of the diagnosis identified whenever possible. The terms senility and senile denote conditions brought on by aging and often are used incorrectly to denote dementia. NCDJ Recommendation: It is acceptable to describe a person as someone who uses a wheelchair, followed by an explanation of why the equipment is required. 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. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to a person with albinism, rather than an albino. But proceed with extra caution. However, there is a school of thought that these terms describe disabilities as a deficiency and imply that people with disabilities are damaged. But why does their speech get sloppier? Background: The majority of people with disabilities have chronic conditions that are invisible or hidden. 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. Others prefer hard of hearing. It is best to ask your sources what they prefer. AP style: PTSD is acceptable on either first or second reference but should be spelled out at least one time. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to someone as having dyslexia only if the information is relevant to the story and if youre confident there is a medical diagnosis. Severity and symptoms vary widely. It is a negative commotation. It is now widely considered a derogatory slur. Otherwise, paraphrase and use a more acceptable term. NCDJ Recommendation: Use person with a brain injury or person with a traumatic brain injury rather than brain damaged, which is considered derogatory. The word special in relationship to those with disabilities is now widely considered offensive because it euphemistically stigmatizes that which is different. 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. Background: A chronic illness is defined by the National Health Council as a health condition lasting three months or longer and includes conditions such as cancer or heart disease. Ear infections can do the same. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA, regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified. 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