Media Inquiries
General inquiries from the media should be directed to the DSPTC’s main number, 817-277-7064 or e-mail, media@dsptc.org.
LANGUAGE AND TERMINOLOGY:
Guidelines on Writing about People with Down syndrome
The current convention in the US, and most of the rest of the English-speaking world is “Down syndrome”. In the UK, “Down’s syndrome” is still sometimes used.
We rely on the media to speak 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.
We are sure you share our concerns so please take a minute to check that your copy is in line with the following language guidelines and that you are not perpetuating any myths about the condition.
DON’T SAY: suffers from OR is a victim of Down syndrome
DO SAY: has Down Syndrome
DON’T SAY: a Down syndrome baby/person/child
DO SAY: a person/baby/child with Down syndrome or who has Down syndrome
DON’T SAY: retarded/mentally handicapped/backward
DO SAY: intellectual disability
DON’T SAY: disease/illness/handicap
DO SAY: condition OR genetic condition
DON’T SAY: the risk of a baby having Down syndrome (in relation to pre-natal screening and probability assessments)
DO SAY: the chance of a baby having Down Syndrome
