April is Autism Awareness month. Let’s examine some ways you can be more inclusive in the language and ways you interact with others.

April is Autism Awareness month, and it’s a great time to reflect on the language we use and how it can reflect ableism. The Oxford Dictionary defines ableism as “discrimination in favor of able-bodied people.” In other words, ableism is discrimination based on disability.&nbsp;According to Sara Novic, “Personal ableism might look like name-calling, or committing violence against a disabled person, while systemic ableism refers to the inequity disabled people experience as a result of laws and policy.” Let’s examine some ways you can be more inclusive in the language and ways you interact with others:<ol><li>Think critically about the language you use, and avoid ableist terms and phrases such as “dumb”, “turning a blind eye”, “falling on deaf ears”, or calling someone “crazy”. These words and phrases are also referred to as linguistic microaggressions and “both perpetuate stereotypes and simultaneously obscure the reality of the situation they describe.” (Hale, 2021).</li><li>Understand that <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html#:~:text=61%20million%20adults%20in%20the,is%20highest%20in%20the%20South" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">one in four people in the US</a> have a documented disability, that’s 25%. Consider swapping ableist terms with more inclusive versions using this <a href="https://www.autistichoya.com/p/ableist-words-and-terms-to-avoid.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">resource</a> (content warning: explicit language used).&nbsp;</li><li>Listen and ask questions! “Ask questions, avoid assumptions, and start by listening to the people who are impacted the most. Think about whether your own word choice is contributing to their oppression.”</li></ol>As educators, we teach so much around vocabulary and language, so what better time to bring students’ attention to ableism and the language that we speak! This increased awareness encourages a sense of safety and belonging in the learning community, and also increases students’ self-esteem.For more great tips, tricks, and tools for classroom success, additional resources, employment opportunities, and more, visit <a href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CrossCountryEducation.com</a>.<h3>Citations:</h3><ol><li>Novic, S. (2021, April 5). The harmful ableist language you unknowingly use. BBC. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from <a href="https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210330-the-harmful-ableist-language-you-unknowingly-use" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210330-the-harmful-ableist-language-you-unknowingly-use</a></li><li>(2022, May 1). Disability and Health Data System (DHDS). Center for Disease Control and Protection. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html#:~:text=61%20million%20adults%20in%20the,is%20highest%20in%20the%20South" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html#:~:text=61%20million%20adults%20in%20the,is%20highest%20in%20the%20South</a></li><li>Brown, L. X. Z. (2022, September 14). Ableism/Language. Autistic Hoya - A Blog by Lydia X. Z. Brown. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from <a href="https://www.autistichoya.com/p/ableist-words-and-terms-to-avoid.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.autistichoya.com/p/ableist-words-and-terms-to-avoid.html</a></li></ol>

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