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It is important to use appropriate language and terminology when talking about learning disability.
Watch the video below to find out聽why using appropriate language is important.聽
Disclaimer about language and terminology聽
聽We understand that aggressive challenging behaviour is a consequence of unmet needs and serves a function for the person displaying it.鈥疶he terminology used on the聽PETAL websitre and social media has been discussed at length with our patient and public involvement groups. The language has been adapted to try and ensure that it does not put the blame on the person聽or suggest the person needs to change. However, there is some terminology, such as 鈥渁ggressive challenging behaviour鈥� that we are unable to change. Whilst our patient and public involvement groups acknowledge this and understand the use of these terms within the PETAL programme, they do not necessarily agree or approve of their usage.鈥��
Some people may feel that labels and diagnoses are helpful to gain access to services and get help, while others may聽not feel the same way.聽It is important to see the person first, regardless of their diagnosis or the label they have been assigned. One of our partner organisations聽The Challenging Behaviour Foundation聽have written an insightful summary on what the term "challenging behaviour" means and why it is used, which you can聽read by clicking.
Language on the PETAL website and social media
We have put together a guide of recommended language that we will use when talking about PETAL on our website and social media. This guide has been agreed with our聽carer advisory group.聽
| Recommended language | Language to be avoided |
|---|---|
Person with learning disability鈥�� Adult with learning disability鈥�� Participant with learning disability鈥� | Patient鈥痺ith learning disability鈥�� Person with intellectual disability聽 Person with learning difficulties鈥� |
| Disabled person鈥� | Person with disability鈥� |
Autistic person聽 Person on the autism spectrum | Person with autism鈥� Person living with autism鈥� |
| 鈥淗igh鈥� or 鈥渓ow鈥� support needs鈥� | 鈥淗igh鈥� or 鈥渓ow鈥� functioning鈥� |
Person without disability鈥� Neurotypical people | 狈辞谤尘补濒听 贬别补濒迟丑测听 |
| Non-medical language鈥�� | Diagnosis, illness, patient鈥� |
| Non-emotive language鈥� | Victim, vulnerable, dependant鈥� |
| Neutral language 鈥� e.g. condition鈥� | Issue, problem, deficit, impairment鈥� |
| Aggressive challenging behaviour鈥� | Aggressive challenging behaviour鈥� |
罢丑别谤补辫测鈥赌� 厂耻辫辫辞谤迟鈥� | 罢谤别补迟尘别苍迟听 颁耻谤别听 |
