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Topic: How to use kind and correct language about Down syndromeKey Rule: Say 'person with Down syndrome,' not 'Down syndrome person' — the person comes firstSpelling: It is 'Down syndrome' — lowercase 's,' no apostropheTerms to Avoid: Never say 'retarded' or 'special needs' — these words are hurtfulSource: National Down Syndrome Society (ndss.org)
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Good first step: Share Family, friends, or classmates who want to use respectful language
Hey, I learned how to talk about Down syndrome in a respectful way. It's called people-first language — you say the person first, not the condition. Check it out at ndss.org!
Words matter. This guide from the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) walks you through respectful, people-first language when talking or writing about Down syndrome. A few simple shifts in the words you choose can make a real difference to individuals and families in your community.
Down syndrome happens when a person has a full or partial extra copy of the 21st chromosome. It is a condition, not a disease or birth defect. About 1 in 700 babies in the United States are born with it. People with Down syndrome are part of the Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) community. The condition is named after English physician John Langdon Down, who described it — but did not have it.
Start with people-first language: put the person before the condition. Say 'a child with Down syndrome,' not 'a Down syndrome child.' Spell it 'Down syndrome' — no apostrophe, lowercase 's' — which is the preferred U.S. usage and what the AP Stylebook recommends. Swap 'normal' for 'typically developing' or 'typical.' Replace vague phrases like 'special needs' with the specific condition: 'a person who has Down syndrome.' Drop 'suffers from' or 'afflicted by' — people simply 'have' Down syndrome. And retire the word 'retarded' entirely, in any context. 'Intellectual and Developmental Disability' is now the correct term.
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This guide is a great starting point for teachers, healthcare workers, journalists, and anyone who works with or writes about the IDD community. Houston-area schools, nonprofits, and parent groups supporting individuals with Down syndrome may find it useful for staff training or community outreach materials.
Language shapes how we see one another. Using outdated or inaccurate terms — even without meaning harm — can make people with Down syndrome feel invisible or less than. Getting the words right is a small act with a big impact.
