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Person-first Language

   As I reflect on my first month as an occupational therapy student, one of the biggest themes that stands out to me is that occupational therapy is client-centered. OTs take into consideration their client's wants, needs, goals and interests as a top priority in developing their treatment plans. This is one of the numerous ways in which occupational therapy plays a unique role in healthcare, and is also one of the reasons OT stood out to me as a career plan. Occupational therapists have a special opportunity to connect with and motivate their clients. A specific way in which occupational therapists keep client-centered is by using person-first language. While person-first language is a different way to talk about or describe clients, I think that it is more than that-it is a mindset that one adopts.  An example of person-first language might be referring to a someone as "the child with autism" instead of simply calling them an "autistic child." By politely putting the person first, this emphasizes the person instead of their diagnosis. While this might seem like a small rearranging of word order, it can lead to big changes in perspective for not only the OT using person-first language, but also others around them, including other healthcare professionals, the client's family, and the client themselves.
   I think that the mindfulness and practice in implementing person-first language into everyday conversations, not only for occupational therapists but for others as well, is a worthwhile change. It is a way of practicing being client-centered, one of occupational therapy's core values. I believe that the most effective OT practitioners are those who see their clients as a whole person, as much more than a diagnosis. While it is important and relevant information to know a client's diagnosis for their treatment, the goal is to recognize and emphasize that they are much more than an injury, illness, or disability. Occupational therapists strive to help people, no matter their age, race, socioeconomic status, or diagnosis, live life to the fullest. One of the most fundamental and important things OTs can do to achieve this goal is to start small, and to be mindful of their words. They might seem small, but they are powerful.

Comments

  1. OMWPFebruary 3, 2018 at 6:20 PM

    Indeed words are potent and powerful. Wonderful blog post!

    ReplyDelete

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