Terminology

When speaking about Down syndrome, please use language that is both factually accurate and respectful to people with Down syndrome and their families. The guide below shows some common phrases to avoid, and what to say instead.

Please don't say	Say instead
Suffers from, or is a victim of, Down syndrome	Has Down syndrome
A Downs baby / person / child	A baby / person / child with Down syndrome, or who has Down syndrome
Mentally handicapped / backward	Learning disability
Disease / illness / handicap	Condition, or genetic condition
Downs (as an abbreviation)	DS (as an abbreviation, if necessary)

Above all, put the person first: a child with Down syndrome is a child first.