Language to Use with Down syndrome:

34 Weeks

Thought this would also be helpful and educational to anyone not familiar - it was all new information to me as well!

The National Down Syndrome Society and the National Down Syndrome Congress encourages the language below:  

- Down vs. Down’s. NDSS and NDSC use the preferred spelling, Down syndrome, rather than Down’s syndrome. While Down syndrome is listed in many dictionaries with both popular spellings (with or without an apostrophe s), the preferred usage in the United States is Down syndrome. This is because an “apostrophe s” connotes ownership or possession. Down syndrome is named for the English physician John Langdon Down, who characterized the condition, but did not have it.

- People with Down syndrome should always be referred to as people first. Instead of “a Down syndrome child,” it should be “a child with Down syndrome.” Also avoid “Down’s child” or “Down’s Baby” and describing the condition as “Down’s,” as in, “He has Down’s.” This seems like a minor distinction, but to me it is like the difference between someone telling you “you look pretty in that dress” vs. “that dress looks pretty on you.” One compliments the dress, the other is a compliment to you. We wouldn't say “ADHD Child” or “Autism Child.”

- Down syndrome is a condition or a syndrome, not a disease. People with Down syndrome can be perfectly healthy.

- People “have” Down syndrome, they do not “suffer from” it and are not “afflicted by” it.

- It is clinically acceptable to say “mental retardation,” but you may want to use the more socially acceptable “cognitive disability,” “cognitive impairment,” "intellectual disability", "developmental delay" or intellectual impairment." 

- When referring to “normal” children, use the term “typical” - people with Down syndrome are normal like you and I, they just happen to have Down syndrome. (Anyway, is anyone really “normal?” : ) )