Use of terminology What to say (and what not to say) When speaking about issues relating to Down syndrome in a way that is both factually accurate and inoffensive to the general public, including people with Down syndrome and their families, please consider the table below: DO NOT SAY DO SAY Suffers from OR is a victim of Down syndrome Has Down syndrome A Downs baby/person/child A person/baby/child with Down syndrome or who has Down syndrome Mentally handicapped/backward Learning disability or intellectual disability Disease/illness/handicap Condition OR genetic condition Downs (as an abbreviation) DS (as an abbreviation if necessary) Manage Cookie Preferences
When speaking about issues relating to Down syndrome in a way that is both factually accurate and inoffensive to the general public, including people with Down syndrome and their families, please consider the table below: