People-first language

Imagine you have a favorite toy, like a super cool race car. That race car is special, but it's not the only thing about you, right? You are YOU, and the race car is something you have.

People-first language is like that for people. It means we talk about the person first, and then something they might have, like a condition or a difference. So, instead of saying 'a diabetic person,' we say 'a person with diabetes.' It's like saying 'a kid with a cool backpack' instead of 'a backpack kid.' The person is the most important part!

This way of talking started because people wanted to make sure everyone felt seen and respected. Long ago, sometimes people were described only by a condition they had, like 'the blind' or 'the lame.' This made it sound like that was all they were. But people are so much more!

They have dreams, hobbies, families, and feelings. So, people started suggesting we say 'a person who is blind' or 'a person who has a condition that makes walking hard.' It's a way to be kinder and more thoughtful in how we speak about others.

Using people-first language is like having a superpower of kindness! It helps stop people from feeling sad or left out. When we say 'a person with autism' instead of 'an autistic,' we are saying that their autism is part of them, but it doesn't define their whole world.

They are still a person with thoughts, feelings, and amazing talents. This language helps us remember that everyone is a unique person, and we should treat them with respect, just like we want to be treated.

It's easy to learn! If you hear someone talk about a condition, just think: 'Can I say 'person with...'?' For example, instead of 'a homeless person,' we can say 'a person experiencing homelessness.' It shows we understand they are going through a tough time, but they are still a person. Or if someone has a condition like asthma, we say 'a person with asthma.' It's a simple change that makes a big difference in making everyone feel valued and important.