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. If possible, ask the person which is preferable. It is interchangeably referred to as Tourette syndrome, Tourettes syndrome and Tourettes disorder. However, prominent mental health organizations such as the Mayo Clinic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Tourette Syndrome Association, refer to it as Tourette syndrome.. Historically it was called mongoloidism, and people with it were called Mongoloids; this is now considered offensive. This is caused by the muscles that are used to create speech not functioning properly or to their best ability. It is not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves but by differences in parts of the brain that control muscle movement. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid using defect or defective when describing a disability. At times, words that are considered outdated may be appropriate because of the storys historical context. Triggers can be hard to predict, and they vary from individual to individual, but communicating the nature of your content builds audience trust. For example, the National Center on Deaf-Blindness retains the hyphen. NCDJ Recommendation: Use the term mental illness instead of insane or mentally deranged, except in a quote or when referring to a criminal defense. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid the use of mongoloid to refer to someone with Down syndrome. The BBC and The Conversation both have well-considered takes on it. 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 case for nonspeaking is outlined by the non-profit organization The Guild for Human Services. See entry on Dissociative identity disorder/multiple personality disorder. Its acceptable to use the word said in subsequent references. 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.. Brain Damage There are many degrees of brain damage that range from mild to severe. Many prefer to be described as autistic, while others prefer an autistic person or a person with autism.. The institute states, It is common for people to have mixed dementia a combination of two or more types of dementia. Ask individuals how they prefer to be described. 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: Refer to someone as having OCD only if the information is relevant to the story and youre confident there is a medical diagnosis. 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. 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. If Full Deaf, call them Deaf. Do your best. 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. 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. 3. Some are opposed to the use of AAC because of the belief that it will hinder language development. Background: These phrases refer to a condition in which the mouth, jaw, tongue and vocal tract do not work together to produce recognizable words. MD is acceptable on second reference. 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. 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. Other terms are acceptable for those with some vision loss. 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. The Genome Research Institute offers comprehensive information about different genetic conditions, genetic testing and other pertinent topics. Finally, it cautions against using mental health terms to describe non-health issues. Other symptoms include memory loss, emotional issues, disorientation and the development of other mental disorders. 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. The language around COVID-19 is evolving. Use of the word dwarf is considered acceptable when referring to the genetic condition, but it is often considered offensive when used in a non-medical sense. Signs and symptoms of dysarthria vary, depending on the underlying cause and the type of dysarthria. Background: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cued speech is a building block that helps children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing better understand spoken languages. Its a series of hand signs and spots near the mouth used to differentiate between sounds that look the same as one is mouthing them. 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. 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. Less than one percent of the general population has schizophrenia, and it is treated mostly through the use of pharmaceutical drugs. Mute and dumb imply that communication is not possible. Background: The Oxford English dictionary defines an invalid as a person made weak or disabled by illness or injury. It is probably the oldest term for someone with physical conditions that are considered seriously limiting. Background: Depression is characterized by a loss of interest in activities, persistent fatigue, difficulty in concentrating and making decisions, prolonged feelings of emptiness or hopelessness, and abnormal eating habits, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Dont assume all people who engage in misuse have an addiction. 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. When renowned scientist Stephen Hawking died in 2018, media accounts referred to him as finally free of the wheelchair he used for decades. 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. Some consider it condescending, offensive or simply a way of avoiding talking about disability. 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. Background: Quadriplegia is defined as the paralysis of all four limbs as well as the torso. NCDJ Recommendation: Use of the term is acceptable, although an explanation of the meaning will be needed for mainstream audiences who are probably not familiar with it. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid terms like disorder or defect, which are considered derogatory. Instead, be as specific as possible. Use this guide. Be cautious about calling someone an ableist just as you would be cautious about calling someone a racist or a sexist. 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. Its proper name is major depressive disorder. The institute says that related diagnoses include seasonal affective disorder (characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months), psychotic depression (a combination of psychosis and depression), and postpartum depression (sometimes experienced by mothers after giving birth). The association recommends using people-first language to describe mental illness in order to avoid defining people by their disability. Background: Treatment is defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine as the use of any planned, intentional intervention in the health, behavior, personal and/or family life of an individual with alcoholism or another drug dependency designed to achieve and maintain sobriety, physical and mental health and maximum functional ability. 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. See also Epilepsy/epileptic/epileptic fit. Many people object to the use of the word to describe a physical condition because it is used in colloquial English as a synonym for weak, as in: Thats a lame excuse., The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines lamebrain as a dull-witted person.. 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: Lame is a word commonly used to describe difficulty walking as the result of an injury to the leg. For example, The doctor said he was retarded, a term widely used at the time., AP style: Mentally retarded should be avoided. The average height of a dwarf is 40.. See Autism In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association folded Aspergers syndrome into one umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Able-bodied is an appropriate term to use in some cases, such as when referring to government reports on the proportion of able-bodied members in the workforce. For example: He has muscular dystrophy, and avoiding characterizing those conditions as afflictions. WebYSK that "Hearing Impaired" term is incorrect and offensive, use Hard of Hearing when referring to the demographic. Again, proceed with caution. Migraine. Proponents of the term say it helps to destigmatize relationships between people with disabilities and people without disabilities. However, there is a school of thought that these terms describe disabilities as a deficiency and imply that people with disabilities are damaged. AP style: Addressed in entry for Trauma, suggesting that traumatic brain injury is an acceptable use of the word trauma., Background: A caregiver is an individual who provides direct care to people with disabilities and others, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Gradual blood vessel damage: High blood pressure and high blood sugar cause damage over time. Background: Tetraplegia, used interchangeably with quadriplegia, is defined as the paralysis of all four limbs as well as the torso. Access the Spanish language translation of this guide here. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to someone as having dementia only if the information is relevant to the story and you are confident there is a medical diagnosis. The terms also are misleading, as wheelchairs can liberate people, allowing them to move about, and they are inaccurate, as people who use wheelchairs are not permanently confined to them but are transferred to sleep, sit in chairs, drive cars, etc. 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. 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. Do not use OCD as an adjective for someone who obsesses over certain things but has not been formally diagnosed with the disorder. AP style: Not addressed except to state that homebound and housebound are one word with no hyphens. NCDJ Recommendation: It is acceptable to describe a person as someone with cerebral palsy, followed by a short explanation of what the condition entails. Sometimes people with quadriplegia refer to themselves as quads. In these cases, use in quotes. NCDJ Recommendation: Use augmentative and alternative communication on first reference, explaining what it means. These conditions begin during the developmental period of life, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a persons lifetime.. Additional material: I Dont Have Autism, Im Autistic, Lenny Letter. 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. Programs in Disability Studies should encourage a curriculum that allows students, activists, teachers, artists, practitioners, and researchers to engage the subject matter from various disciplinary perspectives.. There is debate about when someone with a chronic illness is considered to have a disability. Typical can be a better choice. Avoid referring to the disabled in the same way that you would avoid referring to the Asians, the Jews or the African Americans. When describing individuals, do not reference disabilities unless it is clearly pertinent to the story. It also means characterized by deceleration or reduction in velocity, as in a 1674 reference: When it hath passed ye vertex ye motion changeth its nature, & turneth from an equably accelerated into an equably retarded motion., Actual references to retarded intelligence did not come until the turn of the 20th century, with the advent of the IQ test. For example: Eds: Graphic details of the killings could be offensive or disturbing to some readers.. Psychiatrist: A mental health professional able to prescribe psychotropic medications. 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. They have come to replace labels such as amputee or malformation, deformation or anomaly. NCDJ Recommendation: Use the words psychotic and psychosis only when they accurately describe a medical experience. 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. 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. This was due to the fact that both groups considered hearing-impaired to be offensive because it carried a value judgement implying that the person was impaired or defective. It calls for use of a lower case d in all usages. You can also download the NCDJ Style Guide as a PDF. The Center states that addiction differs from dependence. Avoid made-up words like diversability and handicapable unless using them in direct quotes or to refer to a movement or organization. They give audiences a choice on whether or not to proceed with consuming the information. The term flashback may be used to denote reliving an event that triggered the PTSD. Brain damage. Background: A defect is defined as an imperfection or shortcoming. We also will include some guidance in individual entries here but again, we encourage you to confirm on a case-by-case basis. Some degenerative diseases can cause dysarthria, a motor speech disorder. For example, some people have Alzheimers disease and vascular dementia.. It is the most common neural tube defect in the U.S. If thats not possible, ask a spokesperson for the organization representing the relevant disability for preferred terminology. Similarly, there is not really a good way to describe the nature of a condition. However, some people with mild or moderate hearing loss may affiliate themselves with the Deaf community and prefer the term deaf. Alternatively, some who are deaf and dont have a cultural affiliation to the Deaf community may prefer the term hard of hearing.. Heart attack: Heart attacks cause pain, exhaustion, and shortness of breath, which can result in slurred speech. The American Psychiatric Association offers a useful media guide of appropriate terms. 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. Writing about disability is complicated and requires sensitivity a must for any form of journalism that involves people. Many chronic health conditions also are considered invisible disabilities, depending on their severity and impact on daily living. 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. Instead, state the nature of the disability or injury. Uppercase when referring to the Deaf community and lowercase when referring to the condition. Avoid saying a person suffers from or is afflicted with the disease. WebIt feels like hearing impaired is the PC term that people use because they're uncomfortable saying "Deaf" and that they don't know how to talk to you or are focusing on your deafness, like they need to pick the right word or you're going to Those with such disabilities often require lifelong or extended support. It also causes pain, exhaustion, and shortness of breath, all of which interfere with speech. Slurred speech without alcohol is linked to a variety of If someone has any degree of hearing loss which is below what it should be, then their hearing is technically impaired. NCDJ Recommendation: When possible, avoid describing a person or condition as impaired. Alternative language for hearing impairment and visual impairment are offered under those entries. Its considered offensive. Avoid using the word shrink in reference to a mental health professional except in a quote. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network recommends not referring to Aspergers at all but to instead refer to autism or autism spectrum disorder. It is important to understand that many people do not consider being deaf or having hearing loss as a disability. NCDJ Recommendation: The NCDJ endorses The Associated Press style, below. NCDJ Recommendation: It is acceptable to state that someone has a congenital disability or lives with a congenital disability. 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. Such events may include assault, war, sexual assault, natural disasters, car accidents or imprisonment. Post-traumatic stress disorder is correct on first reference; use PTSD on second reference. Hearing is a prerequisite for the development of normal speech & language. 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. The term seizure is preferred when referring to the brief manifestation of symptoms common among those with epilepsy. 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. A minimally conscious state is one in which a patient has some awareness of self and/or the environment. AP style: Not specifically addressed, but the style book suggests not using such terms without asking for an individuals preference. NCDJ Recommendation: Do not say someone has had a seizure unless there has been a medical diagnosis. Background: The Centers for Disease Control define traumatic brain injury as an injury that affects how the brain works.. Such tics are recurrent, involuntary and non-rhythmic. 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. NCDJ Recommendation: Do not call someone disfigured as it is considered derogatory. However, whenever possible, ask the individual which term they prefer. 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. Most seizures last from 30 seconds to two minutes. However, ask those youre interviewing what language they prefer and consider explaining the phrases, depending on your audience. Background: Total blindness is the complete lack of perception of either light or form. Alternate phrases include killed himself, took her own life or died by suicide. The verb commit with suicide can imply a criminal act. When writing about it, specify that major disability organizations do not recognize facilitated communication as a valid communication technique. AP style: Not addressed, although AP does not use the abbreviation MD. However, some readers object to trigger warnings and view them as patronizing and stifling to academic freedom. Although involuntary cursing is commonly thought to be a key trait of the disorder, only a minority of those with Tourette syndrome exhibit this symptom. Background: A language researcher introduced the term audism in 1975, according to Britannica, which defines it as people who continually judge deaf peoples intelligence and success on the basis of their ability in the language of the hearing culture. It also appears when deaf people themselves actively participate in the oppression of other deaf people by demanding of them the same set of standards, behavior, and values that they demand of hearing people. The term reemerged in the 1990s and is generally accepted today. This condition happens when a childs brain cant coordinate the muscles that enable speech. If you are going to use it in a quote, consider that decision carefully, as the word is particularly charged. However, only about 15% of those with eye conditions are totally blind. Background: Non-disabled refers to someone who does not have a disability. Healthyplace.com has Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Difficulty with speech, including slurred NCDJ Recommendation: All the terms are acceptable, although, because they are not widely used, an explanation is required for a general audience. It is more accurate to cite the specific disability or disabilities in question. There are many types of seizures, which range in severity. Originally called falling sickness in English, the word has roots in Greek and Latin. Adults are also diagnosed with ADHD. Physical deformities can arise from a number of causes, including genetic mutations, various disorders, amputations and complications in utero or at birth. Instead, refer to the persons specific condition or use person with a disability. The terms are still widely used and generally acceptable when citing laws, regulations, places or things, such as handicapped parking, although many prefer the term accessible parking. Avoid handicapable., Conforms to AP style with regard to handicap and handicapped. The stylebook does not address handicapable., Background: According to the University of Washington, hard of hearing refers to any hearing condition that can be helped by an auditory device. Background: These terms refer to a variety of ways that people communicate without speaking. See entries on Depression and Mental illness/mental disorder. Background: Amputation refers to the removal of a bodily extremity, usually during a surgical operation, for a variety of reasons, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.People who have undergone an amputation are commonly referred to as amputees, but the term may be offensive and often is not used correctly. 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. The technique was originally developed to help those with significant developmental disabilities, such as some forms of autism and cerebral palsy. Background: Hard of hearing is the most common term for those who have a mild to moderate hearing loss that may or may not be corrected with amplification. Psychologist: A mental health professional trained in the discipline of psychology and who often does psychological testing and research. This may be due to improper development, damage or disease to any part of the hearing mechanism. The World Federation of the Deaf has taken the stance that hearing impaired is no longer an acceptable term. Use lower case unless referring to the Great Depression. Did you know that 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. Background: Diversability is a term coined by Tiffany Yu, a disability rights advocate. Use a person with dementia or a person with dementia rather than demented or senile. When possible, reference the specific disease, such as someone with Huntingtons disease. When referencing Huntingtons disease or Parkinsons disease, use the full term rather than shortening to Huntingtons or Parkinsons.. Electrical sensitivities are triggered by electromagnetic fields from electrical devices and frequencies. Background: Facilitated communication is a widely criticized communication technique that was popular in the 1990s. Rapid speech that is difficult to understand. Differences in parts of the 19th century is particularly charged imperfection or shortcoming saying a suffers. Proceed with consuming the information stifling to academic freedom individuals abilities and challenges, rather than demented or.. Case for nonspeaking is outlined by the non-profit organization the Guild for Services... 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