The following language guidelines have been developed by experts in the field of intellectual disabilities for use by anyone writing or speaking about persons with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities, to ensure that all people are portrayed with individuality, respect and dignity.

Appropriate terminology:

• A person has intellectual disabilities, rather than is suffering from, afflicted with, or a victim of intellectual disabilities. It is preferred terminology not to write or say that a person is intellectual disabilities.

• Down syndrome has replaced Down's Syndrome and mongoloid.

• Physically challenged or disabled rather than crippled.

• Someone who is partially sighted is visually impaired rather than blind.

• A person has a seizure rather than a fit.

• A person has a seizure disorder or epilepsy, rather than is epileptic.

• Distinguish between adults and children with intellectual disabilities, and older or younger athletes.

• Refer to people in Special Olympics as athletes. The word athletes should not appear in quotation marks.

• When writing, refer to persons with a disability in the same style as person without a disability: full name on first reference and last name on subsequent references.

• A person uses a wheelchair rather than is confined or restricted to a wheelchair.

Terminology to Avoid:

• Do not use the word kids when referring to Special Olympics athletes. Adult athletes are an integral part of the program.

• Do not use the adjective unfortunate when talking about persons with intellectual disabilities.

• Do not use the word "the" in front of Special Olympics unless describing a specific Special Olympics event.

• Do not overuse the word "special" when referring to persons with intellectual disabilities. Their accomplishments should not be trivialized by using cute words to describe their efforts.