Our unique label, should be our own name. Prominence of the person with a disability

"Labeling is something definite; once you say, making meaning. "(Namka). 

"Labeling is a process in which descriptors are created to identify people who differ from the norm. Standards is a large relative term. Each of us is different from another person in some way. " 
(Darrow and White)


How many labels do we use everyday without thinking? The student, teacher, therapist or principal are labels that evoke images of who these people are, how they look and how they might act. What labels might apply to us? Do we identify with some costs more tags than others? How do we feel when we are labeled and categorized? 
Now, think about the special education students and their labels; severe, those with behavioral disorders and, of course, autistic. What images and feelings create those labels? What are tags? How are they used?Are they useful? 
Labels can be useful, but they can also be dangerous. They can create stereotypical images based on collective thinking, rumors, prejudices, fears and inability to separate the person's disability or behaviors that may arise. As Mike Squires said in his article "Labels: A Liability of Disability", "bring together a diverse group of people ... overrides any sense of identity."

Why do we use labels? 

Then why use tags? Perhaps because "there are some positive aspects to tag a person's disability. Labels are sometimes a requirement for receiving federal funds or to recognize the adjustments that must be made ​​for a person with disabilities "

What bias is created when a teacher say "autistic student", "student with downs" Categorizing that student, along with all other students with autism, according to the stereotypes we associate with that tag. 
Like other groups of people are two categorization based on stereotypes and labels (eg single mothers, manic / depressives, alcoholics) the label "autistic" or "down" can harm people

Give them credit. When a student is "high functioning" or "low functioning," he creates responsibilities, roles and preconceived obligations, both the teacher and the student. The labels, particularly the "low-functioning autism" can cover skills, abilities and strengths. 


Tags can create expectations based on previous experiences or rumors. We run the risk of assuming that these opinions are the facts about that person, distorting our perception. For example, because the person labeled autistic and Down or support professionals had a bad experience in the past, expectation or belief will use this experience is generated. Therefore, the professional support that person with autism assume an attitude of power and control rather than compassion and understanding. They struggle because things happen in the way that "supposed" to happen instead of trying to identify the reasons for the difficulties. Thus, we run the risk of overlooking the human being and see only the label and we need to control the situation. It is important to rule out third party opinions and meet each person based on personal interactions and not the experiences of others. 

Prominence of the person on disability 

People who work with people with disabilities should start by giving prominence to the person in your daily dialogue. This means that by choosing words that describe a person with disability. For example, a person with Down syndrome, autism or students with autism spectrum disorder. In this way we describe what the person is and not what the person is. It puts the person's disability. When we begin to recognize that people with disabilities are people first, we can begin to appreciate that they are much more similar than different from people without disabilities.  


It's important to remember that any label is a tool that to be useful must have a particular purpose. Use a label tells us very little about the person except that a disability exists. It is often wiser to know people as individuals with strengths, interests, preferences, fears and frustrations and understand that their disability is only one aspect of the person. If we move away from the stigma of labels, perhaps we can begin to see a way to take the capacity and competition and allow each person to live up to expectations instead of allowing the label to set lower expectations.