“I AM ME” Person First Language Self Advocates with an FASD in Action Arlington Virginia May 1-3, 2012

Rob Wybrecht SAFA Coordinator Expert Panel Member rob1195@yahoo.com

The Importance of Using Person First Language in All We Do What is Person First Language? It is always speaking about a person by putting the person’s name FIRST before stating anything else.

Or it is stating A young man with a physical disability A person who receives special education services

This is especially important if you are then going to discuss a special challenge that this individual may have.

WE are not our face our hair our hobby our sport our disease or our disability None of us should ever hear the words FAS kid or FASD adult. They must be removed from everyone’s vocabulary.

My nephew Brandon Is not “the runner”. Brandon was on the track team in high school, loves to play the piano, does not read music but learns by listening is majoring in computers is an Eagle Scout will finish college in three years was diagnosed with dyslexia in third grade

I am Rob I am not the “butterfly keeper” I am Rob who loves gardening insects, especially butterflies, watching How It’s Made, teaching people about FASD, telling people about SAFA sharing my story with lots of people even in the Netherlands, and Spain. If you only heard of me as the first FAS baby diagnosed in the US, you would not know who I really am.

Developing Person First Language Sight Parking Wheel chair No disabilities Communication

Sight

Sight Person who is visually impaired Person who is blind

Parking

Parking Accessible Parking

Wheel Chair

Person who uses a Wheel Chair

No Disabilities

Person without Disabilities No Disabilities Person without Disabilities

Communication

Communication A child who is unable to speak A person who uses a communication device A lady who speaks with her eyes

Examples of People First Language People with abilities Steven has a learning disability Person with a physical disability A young adult with an FASD