Parents of young children with Down syndrome may feel passionately about how they refer to their sons and daughters. Some advocate Person First Language and some feel that Down syndrome should be kept as a focus of their advocacy.

We have such a history of advocacy and current success fundraising for Down syndrome awareness and research that it may seem as though we can afford to allow the opinions that we hold to divide us. However, our sons and daughters have the opportunities they find in schools and our communities because we have their best interests at heart.

Respectful language makes a difference in how we advocate as well as how others respond to our efforts. Down syndrome is just a small part of who our children are and who they are meant to be.

Person First Language and Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art178780.asp

Pam W
SE of Seattle