Words, written or spoken, can affect a person tremendously. Like all individuals with intellectual disabilities, can also be hurt and affected by the way we talk about them. Most of the time though, we are careless on how we address topics that are unfamiliar to us.
To clarify, intellectual disability is different from mental illness. Intellectual disability is to have poor scholarly capacity joined with impedance in adjusting to the ordinary social environment. Reasons may incorporate brain damage or hindered advancement as a youngster. Mental illness happens regularly amid pre-adulthood, generally during critical moments of a person's life. Persons with Mental illness even have excellent scholastic record and may lead a seemingly ordinary life.
Education is very vital when talking about people who are intellectually challenged. If it's truly the desire of your heart to uplift and protect the morale of those who fall within the bracket of this vulnerable group, there are so many ways that can be done. This write-up isn't just for journalists, but for those with access to to the social media as well or those with the ability to converse with others. Yes! Everyone. Here are some points worth noting if you want to be able to communicate with people with intellectual disabilities.
When talking or writing about them, avoid using the words: "retarded, mentally ill, abnormal, insane" or any other term that is synonymous to these. Once a person is labeled retarded, he is misconstrued to be a nuisance and a burden. This isn't the case as many people with intellectual disabilities, look after themselves and strive hard to be good in school.
Children and adults who have intellectual disabilities aren't the same. They are still in a world of their own and must be handled with care for that matter. Anytime a journalist writes about these persons, there is the need to use their full names, for example John Doe rather than using just the first name John.
A life of an intellectually challenge individual is usually seen or portrayed as overly dramatic, melancholic and full of suffering especially from the family's standpoint. This angle must be avoided because many families do not live this way. They support their challenged child and this child has a continuous positive relationship with their families and caretakers.
Only a small percentage of people in your community knows a family with an intellectually challenged person or even the person himself. Writers and social media users have the responsibility to enlighten people and portray these individuals participating in every facet of life - at home, at work, simply being part of the crowd. Placing them or associating them with hospitals does not help improving their image.
Try as much as possible not to use words or phrase that will weaken their spirits during write-ups. This is due to the fact that intellectual challenge is no sickness. Also, the negative connotation that comes along with it is just the way outsiders see them and not the way they see themselves.
All the points enumerated above can be very limiting. However, it is important that more articles are written about them. They usually tend to reflect how society look at them: neglected. So, in order to make their spirit come alive, it is best to write about them more in a positive and encouraging manner.
To clarify, intellectual disability is different from mental illness. Intellectual disability is to have poor scholarly capacity joined with impedance in adjusting to the ordinary social environment. Reasons may incorporate brain damage or hindered advancement as a youngster. Mental illness happens regularly amid pre-adulthood, generally during critical moments of a person's life. Persons with Mental illness even have excellent scholastic record and may lead a seemingly ordinary life.
Education is very vital when talking about people who are intellectually challenged. If it's truly the desire of your heart to uplift and protect the morale of those who fall within the bracket of this vulnerable group, there are so many ways that can be done. This write-up isn't just for journalists, but for those with access to to the social media as well or those with the ability to converse with others. Yes! Everyone. Here are some points worth noting if you want to be able to communicate with people with intellectual disabilities.
When talking or writing about them, avoid using the words: "retarded, mentally ill, abnormal, insane" or any other term that is synonymous to these. Once a person is labeled retarded, he is misconstrued to be a nuisance and a burden. This isn't the case as many people with intellectual disabilities, look after themselves and strive hard to be good in school.
Children and adults who have intellectual disabilities aren't the same. They are still in a world of their own and must be handled with care for that matter. Anytime a journalist writes about these persons, there is the need to use their full names, for example John Doe rather than using just the first name John.
A life of an intellectually challenge individual is usually seen or portrayed as overly dramatic, melancholic and full of suffering especially from the family's standpoint. This angle must be avoided because many families do not live this way. They support their challenged child and this child has a continuous positive relationship with their families and caretakers.
Only a small percentage of people in your community knows a family with an intellectually challenged person or even the person himself. Writers and social media users have the responsibility to enlighten people and portray these individuals participating in every facet of life - at home, at work, simply being part of the crowd. Placing them or associating them with hospitals does not help improving their image.
Try as much as possible not to use words or phrase that will weaken their spirits during write-ups. This is due to the fact that intellectual challenge is no sickness. Also, the negative connotation that comes along with it is just the way outsiders see them and not the way they see themselves.
All the points enumerated above can be very limiting. However, it is important that more articles are written about them. They usually tend to reflect how society look at them: neglected. So, in order to make their spirit come alive, it is best to write about them more in a positive and encouraging manner.
About the Author:
Our personalized programs provide medicaid waiver services to individuals with intellectual disabilities. To be part of the community, pay a visit to our official website at http://lucaslodge.com.
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