Recently, a South Carolina lawmaker used the word “retard” in a highly offensive tweet, which has since been deleted. It is very disheartening to see someone in a position of power using language that dehumanizes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our lawmakers are supposed to be role models who want the best for all of their constituents, including South Carolinians with intellectual disabilities. While “mental retardation” was originally coined as a medical term in the 1950s, it quickly devolved into a slur, much like the terms “moron” and “idiot” that came before it. It is important to recognize that none of these terms were created or endorsed by the people affected the most by this language: people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In fact, people with I/DD have been advocating against the use of the R word since the 1970s. People with intellectual disabilities are some of the most influential founders of the larger American disability rights movement. They advocated for our right to speak for ourselves, instead of being spoken about by our parents and caregivers. They advocated for our right to live in the community instead of being institutionalized. But they advocated most ardently for our most fundamental, inalienable right: the right to be seen as human beings. The “founding fathers” of the disability rights movement believed in our inherent personhood so much that they called one of the first formal organizations run by and for people with disabilities “People First”. But the R word takes away the humanity that our community has fought so hard to have recognized. Using that word defines us as being less than; it defines us as an “other”. There are also other euphemisms that have the same effect as the R word, and although most of the world doesn’t see them as offensive, the disability community does not like to use them. Terms such as “low-functioning”, “profound”, and “severe” are avoided because they define people by their deficits. As autistic advocate, Tiffany Hammond, says about Aidan, her nonspeaking autistic son, “When people see my son whole, they treat him better. When all they see is struggle, they don’t…I can do just fine advocating for his very unique and specific needs without defining him as [profoundly disabled or low-functioning]." Aidan is learning to communicate using a letterboard, and, with the support of his family, is leading a self-directed life. So how should you refer to your autistic or otherwise disabled loved one? Like Tiffany says, it’s good to state what their needs are directly instead of referring to them using an ill-defined and limiting label. For example, you might say, “Ethan has autism and an intellectual disability. He uses sign language and an AAC device to communicate and needs help with all activities of daily living. Ethan needs instructions provided in simple language that is repeated at each step. He is very sociable and gregarious and enjoys being around other people.” This tells you a lot more about Ethan than “Ethan is a low-functioning autistic person.” It’s important that people understand what an autistic person’s needs are, but it is equally important to know about their personality, strengths, and interests so that others will see them as the person they are and not define them by their disabilities. Using appropriate language may seem like it doesn’t do much for the disability community, but language shapes our thoughts and thoughts shape our perceptions. Avoiding the R word and other ableist language, helps others see people with disabilities as people worthy of love, care, and respect, which is what Autism Acceptance Month is all about! To learn more about how to stop the use of the R word, visit the Spread the Word to End the Word website. Spread the Word to End the Word website To see more autism advocacy from autistic author, Tiffany Hammond, visit her blog “Fidgets and Fries” online or follow her on social media. Fidgets and Fries website | 
