Episode Details

When I was going through school back in the late 90s and early 2000s, I was taught that “person-first” language was the most respectful way to refer to my clients.

For example, they weren’t “disabled people”, they were “people with disabilities”.

Fast forward to the 2020s, and now we’re hearing a different story.

Now, there are many people who actually prefer “identity first” language.

If you’re someone supporting someone who has some particular diagnosis or disability, it’s confusing enough to navigate the system when it comes to educational and medical services.

Add language and terminology on top of that, and it gets even more overwhelming.

I’ve heard this debate from multiple angles.

Some have a strong preferences for one type of language over the other. Others are more flexible.

And then there is a group of people who aren’t even fully aware of this debate and what it means…especially if they are brand new to the world of educational or medical services for kids.

That’s why in this episode, I wanted to share the background and rationale behind both “person first” and “identity first language” based on my experience working as a clinician since 2004 and also as someone who has a diagnosis myself. In this episode, I mentioned some research relating to labeling theory and self-fulfilling prophecies.  Here is some more information about that. Also, here is some information about  where the term originated.

I also mentioned the Executive Functioning Guide for Parents in this episode. In this guide I outline what executive functioning is and why it’s so important to helping kids grow up to be resilient, adaptable, and independent.

In this guide I walk through red flags of executive dysfunction, as well as how to identify specific areas of executive functioning where your kids might need support. You can get the free parent guide at drkarendudekbrannan.com/parentguide The De Facto Leaders podcast was formerly the “Are they 18 yet?®” podcast. As of November 2022, the name of the show has changed, and we’ve shifted from a focus on parenting to a focus on supporting clinicians and educators to design effective services for kids (but parents are still welcome to listen). Episodes published before November 24, 2022 will still contain some of our old branding. 

Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL and Renaissance:

Learn more about Renaissance:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower c