Laken's OT Thoughts

     The types of language occupational therapists use when interacting with and talking about a client is very important. Language can really affect a client's view of his or herself and can affect how he or she views the occupational therapist. In the readings for person-first, inclusive, and disability-referencing language, I learned how far we have come with the treatment and the language we use with people with disabilities, and we need to make sure we continue to use these kinds of languages so we keep moving forward and do not slide back into the past. Occupational therapists need to practice using person-first language because we do not want people with disabilities to feel as if they need something special. If we practice using person-first language we are actually putting the person before the disability, and that allows individuals with disabilities to know that we really do care about who they are as a person. If we use person-first language our clients will trust us an