Special Needs Blog

Words to Lose vs. Words to Use

When describing a person who has a disability, the descriptors we choose can be thoughtful or hurtful. Here are some more thoughtful alternatives to use when describing a disability:
Words to Lose Words to Use
crippled, spastic, gimp cerebral palsy, paraplegia, physical disability
autistic has autism or an ASD
handicap disability
insane, crazy, cray has a psychiatric disability
wheelchair-bound or confined uses a wheelchair
stricken, victim, suffering from had or has a disability
mentally challenged has an intellectual disability