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

2. Rob Wybrecht SAFA Coordinator Expert Panel Member

3. 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.

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

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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

10. Developing Person First Language
Sight
Parking
Wheel chair
No disabilities
Communication

11. Sight

12. Sight
Person who is visually impaired
Person who is blind

13. Parking

14. Parking
Accessible Parking

15. Wheel Chair

16. Person who uses a Wheel Chair

17. No Disabilities

18. Person without Disabilities
No Disabilities
Person without Disabilities

19. Communication

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

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