Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 Hi, I understand the point you are making so I actually asked autistic adults about this, and there response was they liked to be referred to as autistic instead of a person with autism. Not sure if this applies to all autistics, but to the ones I asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 Hi, I understand the point you are making so I actually asked autistic adults about this, and there response was they liked to be referred to as autistic instead of a person with autism. Not sure if this applies to all autistics, but to the ones I asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 Actually, there was an intense study about the people first language that involved individuals with a wide array of disabilities. It was strongly in favor of the people first language. This is not specific to autism alone. It focuses us on the person first is the main point. LInda Re: people first language Hi, I understand the point you are making so I actually asked autistic adults about this, and there response was they liked to be referred to as autistic instead of a person with autism. Not sure if this applies to all autistics, but to the ones I asked. Unlocking Autism www.UnlockingAutism.org Autism-Awareness-Action Worldwide internet group for parents who have a child with AUTISM. Schafer Autism Report News and information on Autism To Subscribe http://home.sprynet.com/~schafer/index.html Healing Autism: No Finer Cause on the Planet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 Actually, there was an intense study about the people first language that involved individuals with a wide array of disabilities. It was strongly in favor of the people first language. This is not specific to autism alone. It focuses us on the person first is the main point. LInda Re: people first language Hi, I understand the point you are making so I actually asked autistic adults about this, and there response was they liked to be referred to as autistic instead of a person with autism. Not sure if this applies to all autistics, but to the ones I asked. Unlocking Autism www.UnlockingAutism.org Autism-Awareness-Action Worldwide internet group for parents who have a child with AUTISM. Schafer Autism Report News and information on Autism To Subscribe http://home.sprynet.com/~schafer/index.html Healing Autism: No Finer Cause on the Planet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 I sort of want people to know my son is Autistic. Not just disabled. When you look at AJ, it's not noticiable that he has a disability. If you watch him for a while, he looks very hyperactive. When a stranger tries to talk to him, either he doesn't answer, ignores the speaker, or the speaker does not understand what he says in response. Also, a lot of pople think he is a brat because of his behavior. I've had several people(family & friends) tell me that now when a child acts up in public, they watch closely & they realize that child might be autistic. So in a way, it helps. I hope I made sense. It's hard for me to put all my thoughts into words. Respectfully, Lori In a message dated 8/18/2003 1:23:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cab5532@... writes: > Hi, > I understand the point you are making so I actually asked autistic > adults about this, and there response was they liked to be referred > to as autistic instead of a person with autism. Not sure > if this > applies to all autistics, but to the ones I asked. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 I sort of want people to know my son is Autistic. Not just disabled. When you look at AJ, it's not noticiable that he has a disability. If you watch him for a while, he looks very hyperactive. When a stranger tries to talk to him, either he doesn't answer, ignores the speaker, or the speaker does not understand what he says in response. Also, a lot of pople think he is a brat because of his behavior. I've had several people(family & friends) tell me that now when a child acts up in public, they watch closely & they realize that child might be autistic. So in a way, it helps. I hope I made sense. It's hard for me to put all my thoughts into words. Respectfully, Lori In a message dated 8/18/2003 1:23:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cab5532@... writes: > Hi, > I understand the point you are making so I actually asked autistic > adults about this, and there response was they liked to be referred > to as autistic instead of a person with autism. Not sure > if this > applies to all autistics, but to the ones I asked. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 The idea is not to hide the fact that people with autism have autism. It is just the way you phrase it. To say someone has autism is a lot more respectful then saying they are autistic. When I introduce my son I don't even say he has autism because to me we are all people and we all have differences. If I am asked I say he has autism, not he is autistic. Lind Re: Re: people first language I sort of want people to know my son is Autistic. Not just disabled. When you look at AJ, it's not noticiable that he has a disability. If you watch him for a while, he looks very hyperactive. When a stranger tries to talk to him, either he doesn't answer, ignores the speaker, or the speaker does not understand what he says in response. Also, a lot of pople think he is a brat because of his behavior. I've had several people(family & friends) tell me that now when a child acts up in public, they watch closely & they realize that child might be autistic. So in a way, it helps. I hope I made sense. It's hard for me to put all my thoughts into words. Respectfully, Lori In a message dated 8/18/2003 1:23:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cab5532@... writes: > Hi, > I understand the point you are making so I actually asked autistic > adults about this, and there response was they liked to be referred > to as autistic instead of a person with autism. Not sure > if this > applies to all autistics, but to the ones I asked. > Unlocking Autism www.UnlockingAutism.org Autism-Awareness-Action Worldwide internet group for parents who have a child with AUTISM. Schafer Autism Report News and information on Autism To Subscribe http://home.sprynet.com/~schafer/index.html Healing Autism: No Finer Cause on the Planet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 The idea is not to hide the fact that people with autism have autism. It is just the way you phrase it. To say someone has autism is a lot more respectful then saying they are autistic. When I introduce my son I don't even say he has autism because to me we are all people and we all have differences. If I am asked I say he has autism, not he is autistic. Lind Re: Re: people first language I sort of want people to know my son is Autistic. Not just disabled. When you look at AJ, it's not noticiable that he has a disability. If you watch him for a while, he looks very hyperactive. When a stranger tries to talk to him, either he doesn't answer, ignores the speaker, or the speaker does not understand what he says in response. Also, a lot of pople think he is a brat because of his behavior. I've had several people(family & friends) tell me that now when a child acts up in public, they watch closely & they realize that child might be autistic. So in a way, it helps. I hope I made sense. It's hard for me to put all my thoughts into words. Respectfully, Lori In a message dated 8/18/2003 1:23:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cab5532@... writes: > Hi, > I understand the point you are making so I actually asked autistic > adults about this, and there response was they liked to be referred > to as autistic instead of a person with autism. Not sure > if this > applies to all autistics, but to the ones I asked. > Unlocking Autism www.UnlockingAutism.org Autism-Awareness-Action Worldwide internet group for parents who have a child with AUTISM. Schafer Autism Report News and information on Autism To Subscribe http://home.sprynet.com/~schafer/index.html Healing Autism: No Finer Cause on the Planet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 It seems to me as though we are arguing semantics here. I understand the need to focus on the person but I really think that it should be a personal choice. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 It seems to me as though we are arguing semantics here. I understand the need to focus on the person but I really think that it should be a personal choice. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 I don't normally introduce AJ that way either. I only tell people who will be working with him, like at church & at swim lessons, etc. On Sundays @ church, all the kiddos have to wear name tags. It has a spot for comments & I just write that he is speech delayed. Usually if I spend time with people, like at kids church,soccer practice or a birthday party, I may comment that he is on the autism spectrum & usually the other parents want to know more & what we are doing to improve his speech, etc. The good thing is, most of the people who have known AJ for the last two years, have seen a significant improvement in his behavior. Respectfully, Lori In a message dated 8/18/2003 2:43:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time, stlevine@... writes: > The idea is not to hide the fact that people with autism have autism. > It is just the way you phrase it. To say someone has autism is a lot > more respectful then saying they are autistic. When I introduce my son > I don't even say he has autism because to me we are all people and we > all have differences. If I am asked I say he has autism, > not he is > autistic. > Lind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 I don't normally introduce AJ that way either. I only tell people who will be working with him, like at church & at swim lessons, etc. On Sundays @ church, all the kiddos have to wear name tags. It has a spot for comments & I just write that he is speech delayed. Usually if I spend time with people, like at kids church,soccer practice or a birthday party, I may comment that he is on the autism spectrum & usually the other parents want to know more & what we are doing to improve his speech, etc. The good thing is, most of the people who have known AJ for the last two years, have seen a significant improvement in his behavior. Respectfully, Lori In a message dated 8/18/2003 2:43:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time, stlevine@... writes: > The idea is not to hide the fact that people with autism have autism. > It is just the way you phrase it. To say someone has autism is a lot > more respectful then saying they are autistic. When I introduce my son > I don't even say he has autism because to me we are all people and we > all have differences. If I am asked I say he has autism, > not he is > autistic. > Lind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 I don't hide the fact my son has autism. I speak about it freely. I do say he has autism, not that he is autistic because autism is not " who he is " but what he has. Pam Re: Re: people first language I sort of want people to know my son is Autistic. Not just disabled. When you look at AJ, it's not noticiable that he has a disability. If you watch him for a while, he looks very hyperactive. When a stranger tries to talk to him, either he doesn't answer, ignores the speaker, or the speaker does not understand what he says in response. Also, a lot of pople think he is a brat because of his behavior. I've had several people(family & friends) tell me that now when a child acts up in public, they watch closely & they realize that child might be autistic. So in a way, it helps. I hope I made sense. It's hard for me to put all my thoughts into words. Respectfully, Lori In a message dated 8/18/2003 1:23:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cab5532@... writes: > Hi, > I understand the point you are making so I actually asked autistic > adults about this, and there response was they liked to be referred > to as autistic instead of a person with autism. Not sure > if this > applies to all autistics, but to the ones I asked. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 I don't hide the fact my son has autism. I speak about it freely. I do say he has autism, not that he is autistic because autism is not " who he is " but what he has. Pam Re: Re: people first language I sort of want people to know my son is Autistic. Not just disabled. When you look at AJ, it's not noticiable that he has a disability. If you watch him for a while, he looks very hyperactive. When a stranger tries to talk to him, either he doesn't answer, ignores the speaker, or the speaker does not understand what he says in response. Also, a lot of pople think he is a brat because of his behavior. I've had several people(family & friends) tell me that now when a child acts up in public, they watch closely & they realize that child might be autistic. So in a way, it helps. I hope I made sense. It's hard for me to put all my thoughts into words. Respectfully, Lori In a message dated 8/18/2003 1:23:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cab5532@... writes: > Hi, > I understand the point you are making so I actually asked autistic > adults about this, and there response was they liked to be referred > to as autistic instead of a person with autism. Not sure > if this > applies to all autistics, but to the ones I asked. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2003 Report Share Posted August 20, 2003 I don't think this subject is going to die a peaceful death so I'll add my two cents. I don't think Sam at the age of 5 cares how you call her but that you call her and include her. I am just glad people in the mainstream are talking about autism. I know it is politically correct to refer to " child with Autism " . However you wouldn't say a child with hispanic origin or a child with nearsighted vision. For some individuals with autism -autism is just a difference- they can't change it but they made it work for them. Sam is more than her autism however it colors her and for me the " with " statement makes it sound like she has a choice and can change it. I try not to get stuck on the semantics of it when people talk about autism. I am just glad they are talking about. However I have learned that people's actions speak louder than words and it is how they act towards my children and my family that matters the most. With so much going on federally and state wise as far as services,research and funding that's where the semantics and actions really count. Jeneane Houston, TX Houston, TX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2003 Report Share Posted August 20, 2003 > I don't think this subject is going to die a peaceful death so I'll > add my two cents. > > I don't think Sam at the age of 5 cares how you call her but that you > call her and include her. I am just glad people in the mainstream > are talking about autism. > > I know it is politically correct to refer to " child with Autism " . > However you wouldn't say a child with hispanic origin or a child with > nearsighted vision. For some individuals with autism -autism is just > a difference- they can't change it but they made it work for them. I agree with this. I think that is what the adults with autism were trying to say. I just couldn't put it into the correct words. > Sam is more than her autism however it colors her and for me > the " with " statement makes it sound like she has a choice and can > change it. Agree here too. > I try not to get stuck on the semantics of it when people talk about > autism. I am just glad they are talking about. However I have > learned that people's actions speak louder than words and it is how > they act towards my children and my family that matters the most. > > With so much going on federally and state wise as far as > services,research and funding that's where the semantics and actions > really count. Everything you said was wonderfully put. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2008 Report Share Posted August 29, 2008 Yes, I was sad to hear Charlie Gibson on GMA this morning refer to him as a " down syndrome child " a couple of times...*sigh* Karla People first language > OK, so everyone in the country now knows that Palin's youngest son > has Down Syndrome, but I can't believe that in the past 2 hours, how > many ways I've heard him described " tiny Down's baby " , " suffers from > Down Syndrome " , " He's Downs " , " Down's child " , etc. I heard only one > person say " and her youngest son was born with Down Syndrome. " (which is > an accurate descriptiion.... he was :-) I think this is a perfect > opportunity for all who choose " People first " langugage to educate the > media and the public about a more positive way to describe people with > diabilities. > > So, I think we should all take just a moment and email our local news > stations, as well as national ones, and give them the information about > " People First " language. Again, I'm not thinking that this is complaint > time, but rather a way to educate folks who are saying it over and over > and over again on TV. > > I'm not exactly sure how to contact national broadcasters, so if anyone > has any ideas, please share. For more information about " People First " , > you can Google People First language and you'll get lots of info. > > , mom to (12), (10 DS), and Sammy (8) > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2008 Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 Here's my beef....Fox News kept saying, " The child afflicted with Down syndrome " . I wanted to slap them through the TV screen. I WILL email Fox on that one, for sure!  Rebekah, Oklahoma Kicking off biz in August...Host a catalog or cooking show! www.nailnwirecrosses.com http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurafish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2008 Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 on MSNBC said her youngest child " unfortunately " has down syndrome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2008 Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 Consider the source, Rebekah. Fox news, or any news organization owned by Rupert Murdoch, is unfair and insensitive. Go get 'em! granny On Sat, Aug 30, 2008 at 7:14 AM, Your Pampered Chef Consultant <fourgivenfish@...> wrote: > Here's my beef....Fox News kept saying, " The child afflicted with Down > syndrome " . I wanted to slap them through the TV screen. I WILL email Fox > on that one, for sure! > > Rebekah, Oklahoma > Kicking off biz in August...Host a catalog or cooking show! > www.nailnwirecrosses.com > http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurafish > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2008 Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 I wrote to both D. and Fox News. _____ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of sassysadie@... Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 10:04 AM Subject: Re: RE: People first language on MSNBC said her youngest child " unfortunately " has down syndrome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 If you go to my blog www.mosaicmoments.today.com I posted the press release made by NDSC and NDSS to be sent to the media to educate them on people first language. We should be getting this up on our website www.imdsa.org later this week as well. You can copy that from my blog and send it to all your media if you want to. This will help educate them. And, hopefully you wont cringe everytime you turn on the news! Kristy Kristy Colvin IMDSA President ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association PH: 979-828-4177 Toll Free: 1-888-MDS-LINK http://www.imdsa.org http://www.mosaicmoments.today.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2008 Report Share Posted September 4, 2008 Christiansen received this press release and asked that I share it with the group as a reminder about People First language. It's interesting to me that while there's been much progress toward 'people first' language, there are still MANY parts of the community where no one knows about it. It's a good reminder for us all in our awareness efforts. Thanks, . Laurie FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Schleider 212-763-4369/sschleider@... Governor Palin of Alaska has been selected as McCain's choice for Vice Presidential nominee of the Republican Party. Governor Palin recently gave birth to her son who has Down syndrome. The Palins knew before their son's birth that he would have Down syndrome. Below are tips for the proper use of language for `Down syndrome'. The National Down Syndrome Society and the National Down Syndrome Congress encourages all media to use the below language: · Down vs. Down's. NDSS and NDSC use the preferred spelling, Down syndrome, rather than Down's syndrome. While Down syndrome is listed in many dictionaries with both popular spellings (with or without an apostrophe s), the preferred usage in the United States is Down syndrome. This is because an " apostrophe s " connotes ownership or possession. Down syndrome is named for the English physician Langdon Down, who characterized the condition, but did not have it. The AP Stylebook recommends using " Down syndrome " as well. · People with Down syndrome should always be referred to as people first. Instead of " a Down syndrome child, " it should be " a child with Down syndrome. " Also avoid " Down's child " and describing the condition as " Down's, " as in, " He has Down's. " · Down syndrome is a condition or a syndrome, not a disease. · People " have " Down syndrome, they do not " suffer from " it and are not " afflicted by " it. · It is clinically acceptable to say " mental retardation, " but you may want to use the more socially acceptable " cognitive disability " or " cognitive impairment. " Down Syndrome Myths and Truths Myth: Down syndrome is a rare genetic disorder. Truth: Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring genetic condition. One in every 733 live births is a child with Down syndrome, representing approximately 5,000 births per year in the United States alone. Today, more than 400,000 people in the United States have Down syndrome. Myth: People with Down syndrome have a short life span. Truth: Life expectancy for individuals with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent years, with the average life expectancy approaching that of peers without Down syndrome. Myth: Most children with Down syndrome are born to older parents. Truth: Most children with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35-years-old simply because younger women have more children. However, the incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother. Myth: People with Down syndrome are severely " retarded. " Truth: Most people with Down syndrome have IQs that fall in the mild to moderate range of intellectual disability (formerly known as " retardation " ). Children with Down syndrome fully participate in public and private educational programs. Educators and researchers are still discovering the full educational potential of people with Down syndrome. Myth: Most people with Down syndrome are institutionalized. Truth: Today people with Down syndrome live at home with their families and are active participants in the educational, vocational, social, and recreational activities of the community. They are integrated into the regular education system and take part in sports, camping, music, art programs and all the other activities of their communities. People with Down syndrome are valued members of their families and their communities, contributing to society in a variety of ways. Myth: Parents will not find community support in bringing up their child with Down syndrome. Truth: In almost every community of the United States there are parent support groups and other community organizations directly involved in providing services to families of individuals with Down syndrome. Myth: Children with Down syndrome must be placed in segregated special education programs. Truth: Children with Down syndrome have been included in regular academic classrooms in schools across the country. In some instances they are integrated into specific courses, while in other situations students are fully included in the regular classroom for all subjects. The current trend in education is for full inclusion in the social and educational life of the community. Increasingly, individuals with Down syndrome graduate from high school with regular diplomas, participate in post-secondary academic and college experiences and, in some cases, receive college degrees. Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unemployable. Truth: Businesses are seeking young adults with Down syndrome for a variety of positions. They are being employed in small- and medium- sized offices: by banks, corporations, nursing homes, hotels and restaurants. They work in the music and entertainment industry, in clerical positions, childcare, the sports field and in the computer industry. People with Down syndrome bring to their jobs enthusiasm, reliability and dedication. Myth: People with Down syndrome are always happy. Truth: People with Down syndrome have feelings just like everyone else in the population. They experience the full range of emotions. They respond to positive expressions of friendship and they are hurt and upset by inconsiderate behavior. Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unable to form close interpersonal relationships leading to marriage. Truth: People with Down syndrome date, socialize, form ongoing relationships and marry. Myth: Down syndrome can never be cured. Truth: Research on Down syndrome is making great strides in identifying the genes on chromosome 21 that cause the characteristics of Down syndrome. Scientists now feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future. For more information visit: www.ndss.org or www.ndsccenter.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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