Person First Language

Examples

• Preferred (Person-First): "Person with a disability"

• Avoid: "The disabled" "consumer" "client" "patient"

• Preferred (Person-First): "Person with a substance use disorder"

• Avoid: "Substance abuser" or "addict"

• Preferred (Person-First): "Child who has autism"

• Avoid: "Autistic child" (Note: Preferences vary here, detailed below)

Person-First vs. Identity-First Language

• Person-First Language (PFL): Puts the person first (e.g., "person who is blind") to emphasize individual humanity and avoid defining someone solely by a medical lens.

• Identity-First Language (IFL): Puts the trait or condition first (e.g., "disabled person" or "autistic person") to treat the characteristic as an inseparable, proud part of personal identity. 

• Community Preferences: While formal guidelines (like the National Institutes of Health Style Guide) often recommend person-first language, many communities—such as the autistic and deaf communities—strongly prefer identity-first language. 

• Best Practice: When in doubt, ask the individual how they prefer to self-identify, and respect their choice. Ask before assuming. 

Using "Consumer"

• Core focus: Originates from institutional, social work, and government service systems (short for "consumer of services") to frame individuals as active participants or users of programs.

• Intent: Intended to give individuals a sense of agency, choice, and economic or systemic power (like a customer choosing services), though over time it has transitioned to feel like transactional, clinical, or detached from true personhood. 

• Alternatives: Individuals with disabilities report that the use of consumer dehumanizes them and makes them feel less of a person. As stated in the AB1575 Assembly Human Services Video listed below -