Client Centered Disability Referencing Language

When developing a client-centered practice, it is important to consider the language one uses when  referring to clients with disabilities. Language is a very powerful tool that if not used carefully can perpetuate stereotypes and limit a client's identity to that of their disability.

So how do we as health professionals use language effectively when working with clients with disabilities? There are many ways we can do this, but here are a few ideas to put into practice. 

Use person first language. Have you ever heard a medical personal use language referring to a patient by their disability? For example a nurse may inform her colleague that she has an autistic kid in room one and a broken leg in room two. Rather than putting the emphasis on a patient's functional limitations, she should instead say she has a patient with autism in room one and a patient with a broken leg in room two. This person-first language humanizes people with disabilities rather than labeling them. 

Focus on an individual's abilities rather than their limitations. A person with disabilities has many facets, gifts, and abilities that make them who they are. Society all too often acknowledges their limitations rather than highlighting other aspects that make up their "personhood". When speaking about a previous patient a therapist could say "Remember, he was the child who loves to sing and draws really well" rather than first using the child's disability to first identify them.

Lastly, avoid using sensational language such as "crippled with", "victim of", or "suffers from". This kind of language makes assumptions and labels a person as someone to be pitied. State the facts and remain as neutral as possible. 

Language is very important and it often takes practice to challenge and change our tendencies to use language that labels or limits people. Health care practitioners can play a key role in setting the stage for person-first, objective language that reaches beyond a person's disabilities and highlights the holistic view of that person. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lecture Reflection: Aging Adults and Sexual Health

When thinking about aging adults, it is not uncommon for society as a whole to assume that sex and sexuality is not an important part of an older adult’s day to day life. However, our guest lecturer today proved that assumption to be a myth. Based on statistics she shared, sex and sexual health is an important and integral part of an older adult’s life. Some key takeaway points include physical issues adults will face as they age and how it changes their sexual responses. This includes but is not limited to hardening of arteries and high blood pressure which affects blood flow. Also, cancer treatments along with other medications can cause fatigue, depression, and loss of libido. And finally, arthritis, weakened muscles, and limited range of motion can limit positioning. How and why would an occupational therapist address sexual health in the aging adult population? First, sex is an occupation that statistics show is very meaningful to older adults. There are many things occu
Read more

Reflection: Mock Interview

When preparing for the mock interview, I first reviewed my resume and refreshed my memory on my various experiences, achievements, and goals. From there I practiced answering common interview questions and choosing what questions I would ask post interview. Participating in the interview was helpful especially gaining practice in a low stakes setting and receiving constructive feedback. Something that I can improve on is making eye contact. The interviewer shared with me that initially I appeared to be looking “past her” but eventually began making eye contact as the interview progressed. Eye contact and body position is something I will continue to work on and stay more aware of. Although this wasn't mentioned, I also need to continue to stay aware of the rate of which I speak. I have a tendency to talk fast and have to work to slow down when I am answering interview questions.  According to the interviewer, my answers to her questions were “spot on”. That was really enc
Read more

Lecture Reflection: Aging Adults and Nutrition

      One thing that initially drew me to the field of occupational therapy is the holistic approach to patient care. I love how the practitioner considers the whole person and their needs to participate in the things they find most meaningful. Last week we had guest speaker lecture on the importance of nutrition for the aging adult population. One thing that stood out to me was the statistics presented about how many aging adults are living in poverty and as risk for being undernourishment. The speaker also lectured about the importance of nutrition for wound healing and overall recovery.      Occupational Therapy can support the work of nutritionists and help their clients in a variety of ways that promote nutritional intake. One such intervention includes working with clients to be independent with meal preparation. This could look like working  to improve their balance and strength for cooking tasks. You could also host a cooking class at a local community center for older adults
Read more