People come first!

People with disabilities lying in a circle on the ground - circle of friendsMany of you have heard an anecdote about a patient who was in a hospital, and the patient’s family member was horrified and angry to overhear a doctor talking to the nurse about the “S.O.B.” in room XXX… only to discover that the doctor was using an abbreviation of the diagnosis, “shortness of breath.” More recently I have heard or seen people refer to autistic children, ADHD’ers, schizophrenics, the cancer guy…and more.  Wait a minute – are our patients defined by their diagnoses?  Do WE want to be defined by our own diagnoses?

Several years ago I received a compliment from a director of mental health services at a community agency where some graduate students were conducting research.  She noticed that these Etown students used person-first language.  The students consistently referred to the clients as “people with mental illness.”  Yes, they truly “got it”- that we interact with people…and a diagnosis should not define anyone.  A diagnosis may be part of who we are, but should it be the first thing that people think of?

On the flip side, some advocacy groups don’t want to appear as too sensitive and do not recommend using person-first language.  Some groups of people are proud of who they are, the challenges they have overcome, and see their disability or condition as part of their normal lives or their culture.

So, how do we use language and other forms of communication to demonstrate respect and caring for those we may encounter as therapists?  Do you use person-first language?  Why or why not?  What do you think about this?

 

Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy.