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 make this clearer, mental illness is different from intellectual disability. If one has not too good scholarly capacity coupled with impedance to adjust to their surroundings, then it is said that that person has intellectual disability. Some of the reasons attributed to such conditions might include hindered development from infancy or brain damage. Mental health issues occurs usually during pre-adulthood, particularly during challenging moments of one's life. It is possible for individuals with mental challenges to have excellent academic records and may even lead a simple 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.
Adults and children with intellectual disabilities are not the same. They're still in a different area and must be treated respectfully as such. When a journalist is writing an article about an intellectually challenged adult, he must use the full name of that individual such as John Doe instead of just using 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 make this clearer, mental illness is different from intellectual disability. If one has not too good scholarly capacity coupled with impedance to adjust to their surroundings, then it is said that that person has intellectual disability. Some of the reasons attributed to such conditions might include hindered development from infancy or brain damage. Mental health issues occurs usually during pre-adulthood, particularly during challenging moments of one's life. It is possible for individuals with mental challenges to have excellent academic records and may even lead a simple 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.
Adults and children with intellectual disabilities are not the same. They're still in a different area and must be treated respectfully as such. When a journalist is writing an article about an intellectually challenged adult, he must use the full name of that individual such as John Doe instead of just using 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.
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