Definition:
Person-first language is a way of referring to special needs that emphasizes the individual rather than the diagnosis. For example, instead of referring to an "Down syndrome child," person-first language would be "a child with Down syndrome." The intent is to emphasize the things we all have in common rather than differences, and to allow the many things that are special about our kids to shine through. Some people with special needs, particularly in the deaf and autistic communities, feel that their "disability" is an important part of their identity and prefer not to use person-first language.
Also Known As: people-first language
