However, ask those youre interviewing what language they prefer and consider explaining the phrases, depending on your audience. AP Style: The style book suggests avoiding the term and, instead, trying to be specific about the disability. "Hard of hearing" refers to a hearing loss where there may be enough residual For example, They found the election results depressing.. Avoid confined to a wheelchair or wheelchair-bound as these terms describe a person only in relationship to a piece of equipment. Color vision deficiency is becoming more widely used, but you may have to explain its meaning, depending upon the context. AP style: The style book urges avoidance of the term special education and suggests trying to be specific about the needs or services in question. The language around COVID-19 is evolving. AP style: The stylebook says birth defect is acceptable in broad references, such as lessening the chances of birth defects. NCDJ Recommendation: Deaf or hard of hearing are the preferred terms. Background: Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individuals life experiences. NCDJ Recommendation: Treatment is an acceptable term for medical interventions, and treatment center is acceptable for the establishment in which such practices take place. 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. Causes of hearing loss include: Damage to the inner ear. Many experts classify autism as a developmental disability. Uneven or abnormal speech rhythm. If a medical diagnosis is not available, use quotes around the term and indicate that a diagnosis has not been confirmed. Twice-exceptional students represent a unique group of learners with diverse programming and emotional needs due to the fact that they may have both gifts and disabilities.. The terms depressed, depressing and depressive are acceptable in other contexts when the person being referenced does not have a medically diagnosed condition. AP style: The stylebook allows the use of vegetative state, describing it as a condition in which the eyes are open and can move, and the patient has periods of sleep and periods of wakefulness, but remains unconscious, unaware of self or others.. The word special in relationship to those with disabilities is now widely considered offensive because it euphemistically stigmatizes that which is different. Instead, be as specific as possible. Most people know that strokes can cause one side of the face to droop, weakness of an arm or a leg, trouble walking, and slurred speech. For more information on mental illness, see the National Institute for Mental Health. In 2009, the writers of the television show Glee introduced the term handicapable as a positive alternative to other ways of referring to people with disabilities. Specifically, some members of the autism and Deaf communities prefer identity-first language. 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. See entry on Dissociative identity disorder/multiple personality disorder. Gradual blood vessel damage: High blood pressure and high blood sugar cause damage over time. Journalists should consider other ways of describing a persons ability to function in society. combination of your inner ear and the nerves in your ear. 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. Instead, deafness is often considered a culture. If Full Deaf, call them Deaf. Severe implies judgement; significant might be better. It helps people who want to read and understand information quickly. Symptoms may include reliving the traumatic event, avoidance of certain behaviors, negative emotions, or physical symptoms such as dizziness or nausea. Background: Dwarfism is a medical or genetic condition that results in a stature below 410, according to Little People of America. Background: Total blindness is the complete lack of perception of either light or form. Use obsessive-compulsive disorder on first reference; OCD is acceptable in second reference. Some prefer being called dyslexic, others prefer people-first language, as in a person with dyslexia.. 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. Background: The terms insane, insanity and mentally deranged are commonly used informally to denote mental instability or mental illness but can be considered offensive. OCD may present as a fear of contamination, disarray or intrusion, according to the Mayo Clinic. If a preference is unknown, specify the condition rather than referring to it as a hidden disability, which is vague and open to interpretation. In this guide, we urge reporters and other communications professionals to refer to a disability only when its relevant to the story being told. 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.. It is important to note that augmentative and alternative communication a general term used to refer to alternative methods that allow for written and spoken expression is considered very different from facilitated communication. ear infection. The type and amount of melanin your body produces determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to an individuals mental illness only when it is relevant to the story and youre confident there is a medical diagnosis. Avoid using defect or defective when describing a disability because the terms imply that the person is somehow incomplete or sub-par. NCDJ Recommendation: Ask people how they would like to be described. These conditions also are called toxicant-induced loss of tolerance, environmental illness or sick-building syndrome.. The discussion can be found here. 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. 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. Jonas Salk introduced the polio vaccine in the 1950s, which drastically reduced cases of polio in the U.S. Paraplegia is similar but does not affect the arms. Use the term dwarf only when applied to a medical diagnosis or in a quote. Ear infections can do the same. Nasal, raspy or strained voice. NCDJ Recommendation: Do not call someone disfigured as it is considered derogatory. As youll see below, high functioning and low functioning are considered offensive. Disorder is ubiquitous when it comes to medical references; and the same is true for special when used in special education, so there may be times when its appropriate to use them. 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. Bipolar disorder often develops during late adolescence or early adulthood. The term seizure is preferred when referring to the brief manifestation of symptoms common among those with epilepsy. Background: The two terms often are used interchangeably. In addition, there is a difference between impairment and disability, according to the Institute of Human Services. ASL is acceptable on second reference. 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).. 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. 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. For example, a person may be able to describe having low central or peripheral vision. Then numbers were assigned to words not just mentally retarded, but also terms like imbecile, idiot and moron.. Many people with chronic illnesses do not consider themselves disabled and thus may be offended by the term. When covering AA, consider referring to members by their first name only unless official references or context requires otherwise. Epilepsy is most commonly treated with medication but treatment also can include use of medical devices, surgery, diet and emerging therapy methods. Post-traumatic stress disorder is correct on first reference; use PTSD on second reference. en abril 28, 2022 abril 28, 2022 moaning minnie synonym. 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. 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. Slurred speech after a stroke is the most common Referring to someone who does not have a disability as a normal person implies that people with disabilities are deviant or strange. Background: These terms refer to a variety of ways that people communicate without speaking. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences, according to the American Academy of Pain Medicine. A note about person-first language. This condition happens when children slur their words NCDJ Recommendation: Do not use the term retarded or other iterations. Historically it was called mongoloidism, and people with it were called Mongoloids; this is now considered offensive. 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. Writing about disability is complicated and requires sensitivity a must for any form of journalism that involves people. 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. Until recently, the term deaf-blind was widely accepted, and it is still in use today. However, The National Association of the Deaf supports the identity-first approach. Personally, I'm not offended by this term at all. NCDJ Recommendation: It is acceptable to state that someone has a congenital disability or lives with a congenital disability. Slow speech. NCDJ Recommendation: Avoid the use of mongoloid to refer to someone with Down syndrome. Use the term hypothyroidism instead. Many dislike NCDJ Recommendation: The NCDJ endorses The Associated Press style, below. The center also recommends using the word misuse in place of abuse when describing harmful drug usage. Signs of albinism are usually apparent in a persons skin, hair and eye color, but sometimes differences are slight. 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.. 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. Many chronic health conditions also are considered invisible disabilities, depending on their severity and impact on daily living. Disability advocacy groups emphasize that it is important not to assume people are homebound if they are disabled. A seizure that lasts longer than five minutes is a medical emergency. Opinions vary on how to refer to someone with autism. Others, including the authors of Great Minds and How to Grow Them, question whether there is such a thing as a gifted child. Its traced to religion in 1636 (he to his long retarded Wrath gives wings); to medicine in 1785 (Polypus, sometimes obstructs the vagina, and gives retarded labour); and later to politics (Arguably, the legacy of communism manifests itself most acutely in the retarded economic development of the east). NCDJ Recommendation: While it is usually acceptable to use these terms, keep in mind that disability and people who have disabilities are not monolithic. Legal definitions vary from state to state. Tetraplegia is used interchangeably with quadriplegia.. Background: Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 by Bill W. and Dr. Bob S. in Akron, Ohio, according to the AA General Service Office. Background: Abnormality is a word used to describe a condition that deviates from what is considered normal. However, use the term the person prefers if its possible to ask. There is debate about when someone with a chronic illness is considered to have a disability. Slurring your words can be commonly caused by exhaustion or alcohol consumption. Dont say that an awards show, for example, was schizophrenic.. 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. If you are going to use it in a quote, consider that decision carefully, as the word is particularly charged. 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: The literal translation of spina bifida is split spine, according to the Spina Bifida Association . 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.. 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.. MD is acceptable on second reference. 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. 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. Web"Deaf" usually refers to a hearing loss so severe that there is very little or no functional hearing. It is characterized by unusually intense shifts in emotion, energy, behavior and activity levels in what are called mood episodes. Such episodes are usually classified as manic, hypomanic, depressive or mixed episodes. Instead, state the nature of the disability or injury. Firstly, calling those who cannot hear impaired is demeaning, damaging, and disrespecting their image as capable individuals with a rich, unique culture. 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. More serious causes of dysarthria, or sudden slurred speech, include The Genome Research Institute offers comprehensive information about different genetic conditions, genetic testing and other pertinent topics. The guide was developed by the National Center on Disability and Journalism at Arizona State Universitys Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and was last updated in the summer of 2021. NCDJ Recommendation: Ask your sources what term they prefer. If a medical diagnosis is not available, use quotes around the term and indicate that a diagnosis has not been confirmed. According to the National Institute on Aging, other dementias include Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal disorders and vascular dementia. The stylebook cautions against using mental health terms to describe non-health issues. NCDJ Recommendation: Refer to someone as catatonic only if it is part of a medical diagnosis. In those cases, attribute the term or note its historic use. Background: This term is used to describe someone who does not identify as having a disability. It is not interchangeable with American sign language; in fact, its not sign language at all. A nonspeaking individual may understand and use language just in a different way, such as through American Sign Language. Aging and exposure to loud noise may cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in the Some people with mild to moderate hearing loss may affiliate themselves with the Deaf community and prefer to be referred to as deaf instead of hard of hearing. Alternatively, some who are profoundly deaf may prefer the term hard of hearing.. Finally, it cautions against using mental health terms to describe non-health issues. People with these conditions often are referred to as quadriplegics and paraplegics, but these terms are considered offensive by some. Background: Tetraplegia, used interchangeably with quadriplegia, is defined as the paralysis of all four limbs as well as the torso. Background: Non-disabled refers to someone who does not have a disability. It can be used with babies and older children. It is a negative commotation. Some degenerative diseases can cause dysarthria, a motor speech disorder. For example, emotional intelligence also is important when considering a persons overall intelligence, according to the American Psychological Association. NCDJ Recommendation: Use Tourette syndrome with no possessive or capitalization of syndrome. Refer to someone as having Tourette syndrome only if the information is relevant to the story and if youre confident there has been a medical diagnosis. News reports covering sensitive topics, such as abuse, assault, addiction, suicide, combat and violence, frequently contain descriptive scenarios that can deeply effect audiences. 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