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person-first or identity-first language

How did you do on the person-first self-assessment? What was your level of expertise? Is there room for improvement? 
On the person-first self assessment I scored a 58 meaning "You're a conscientious user!" When I was taking the assessment and reading some of the questions I was thinking things like "I never really thought there was a different between the two different ways of saying things" It made me think that I really need to think about things that I say before I say them, especially because I don't want to say something that I think is nothing but to someone else could be very hurtful.
 Do you prefer person-first or identity-first language? Do you think one is better than the other?
I personally prefer identity- first language. It might be because that is how I have always been told to talk about people who have a disability. I'm not saying that one is better than the other I am just more comfortable with IFL because its what I am use to. One of my friends sons is autistic and when talking about him she just says "my son has autism" not a kid who is autistic. I'm not disabled but believe that if I were I would want people to use IFL when talking about me instead of person-first language. 

 
Did the articles change your thinking about how to address persons with disabilities?
Before reading the articles I honestly never really thought about how to address a person with disabilities. Like I stated above I was just always told to identify the person and not their condition. Therefore I didn't think that there would be different ways that people who address a person with disabilities. Yes they are different but I was always told to make them feel as normal as I could therefore I never made a big deal about it. 

How does this information impact you as a future elementary general education teacher?
This information will make me think twice about what I say and how I talk to students with disabilities. I honestly think I will still always first use IFL but if I am told or realize that the child does not appreciate being talked about in that way I now know that there is another way to address those types of students and will use what I learned in reading these articles to accommodate those students.  Even before this article I knew that I always wanted to make my students all feel equal, and these articles just made me realize how important that really is. 

Comments

  1. Julia EubanksAugust 29, 2017 at 3:19 PM

    Danielle,
    I also didn't realize there was another way but for me it was the person first language. I have always been told to use that type of language or it's rude and disrespectful. After reading these articles I am finding out that, that might not be 100 percent true. I agree with you when you say that you just want to make all students feel equal, no student is better than the other. I also think both languages are appropriate, to each is their own type thing here. However you feel comfortable talking, and whichever one works for those you are talking with.

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