Here's what I mean by that:
The children I've heard referred to so many times as "autistic kids" are actually CHILDREN with autism.
A "cancer patient" is a PERSON with cancer.
A "dyslexic" is an INDIVIDUAL with dyslexia.
A "manic depressive" is a HUMAN with bipolar disorder.
My kid has an intolerance to corn. But intolerant to corn is not what she IS. My daughter has a speech delay. But speech-dealyed is not what she IS. She IS a beautiful, funny, sweet, humorous CHILD. She gets on my nerves sometimes. All kids do. That does not mean she is "bad," or "bratty," or "spoiled." She is a TODDLER who is learning to navigate this world.
The PERSON comes before the disability, life circumstance, or characteristic.
Please, please think about this when you speak about someone who is different from you, or different from what you are used to. Words are powerful and adjectives become labels. Put the person first.
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