Undivided Resources
Parent Question
What terms should I use to describe disabilities?

What terms should I use to describe disabilities?


Published: Mar. 2, 2022Updated: Mar. 17, 2022

Language and terminology around disability is constantly evolving — and as parents, we're often unsure of what words to use when talking about our children’s disabilities. This becomes particularly important when we sit down to talk to our children about advocating for themselves.

Among disability communities in both activism and academia, there is an ongoing conversation regarding “person-first” vs. “identity-first” language. Person-first uses terms like “person with a disability” or “person with autism.” Identity-first language uses terms like “disabled person” or “autistic person.”

Neither of these practices is inherently better than the other. Undivided — along with the majority of media organizations — uses person-first terminology. In our case, we have chosen to do this particularly if a child or family’s preference is unknown.

At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice. Most people just want to be referred to by their name. As parents, what matters is that we acknowledge what our child is most comfortable with, and give them space and opportunities to learn from those who share their disabilities.

For more about this topic, see our article What We Talk About When We Talk About Disability.

Join the Undivided Community to get more resources like this in your inbox

Tags:

Promise Image
Each piece of content has been rigorously researched, edited, and vetted to bring you the latest and most up-to-date information. Learn more about our content and research process here.
A Navigator is your Partner at each turn
Every Undivided Navigator has years of experience supporting families raising kids with disabilities or parenting their own. Partner with an Undivided Navigator for a free Kickstart to learn first hand what support feels like!
tick-icon
Expert-driven content, guidance, and solutions.
tick-icon
Member events and office hours with real answers, plus access to our private parents' group.
tick-icon
Priority to begin a free Kickstart of the Undivided Support System with a dedicated Navigator.
“It’s so helpful to have one place that you can go to get many answers.”–Leeza Woodbury, with Navigator Kelly since 2020
*Currently offering Navigator Kickstarts to residents of California