There are many terminology questions in the world of education: should you say learning disability or learning difference? What are different learning styles? What’s an IEP, and what’s a 504? How we use of some of these terms can be a matter of preference, while others can have a legal impact on your child’s education.

One issue that has strong interpersonal and professional consequences is whether to call someone “learning disabled" or a “person/child with a learning disability." The latter phrase is an example of using "person-first language" in an educational setting. It means you put the person/child first, and it represents best practice in the education and health care fields.

# Why should you use person-first language, too?

• “By placing the person first, the disability is no longer the primary, defining characteristic of an individual, but one of several aspects of the whole person."

• “A disability is what a person has, not what a person is."

• “People First Language is not political correctness; instead, it demonstrates good manners, respect, the Golden Rule, and more — it can change the way we see a person, and it can change the way a person sees herself!"{: target="_blank"}

• “Disability is not the “problem." For example, a person who wears glasses doesn’t say, “I have a problem seeing," they say, “I wear/need glasses."

How we use words demonstrates what we think, and it influences what others think. Use person-first language to “promote understanding, respect, dignity and positive outlooks."

Still confused? Here’s an excellent list of examples of person-first language from Disability is Natural. It includes the phrases you should use, the replaced phrases (on the right), and has resources in Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian.

Sources:

Folkin, J. Resource on Person-First Language: The Language Used to Describe Individuals With Disabilities (1992). ASHA Publications Board.

Let’s put the person first, not the disability! Disability is Natural{: target="__blank"}.

People First Language. Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities{: target="_blank"}.

What is People First Language? The Arc{: target="_blank"}.