1.1 Definitions and Terminology
Terminology
An important concept for providing care to children with special health
care needs is the use of “people first” language. People
whose bodies or minds work differently should be viewed first
as people and second as people with special health care needs (e.g., a
child with cerebral palsy). In the past, such individuals were labeled
by their diagnosis, such as mental retardation or cerebral palsy. Medical
diagnoses are important for providing health care and ensuring that appropriate
services are available, but not for social interaction.
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Therefore, in the dental office, the focus should be on people’s abilities and their individuality, not their limitations. “Handicapped” and “disabled” are archaic terms that invoke negative stereotypes. For example, rather than referring to “handicapped parking” or a “handicapped restroom” say “accessible parking” or “an accessible restroom.” Instead of describing “a child who can’t walk” or “a child who is confined to a wheelchair” say “a child who uses a wheelchair.”
(See http://www.disabilityisnatural.com.)
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