What is a common mistake in language about disability that PTs should avoid?

• A. Using dehumanizing terms like 'the disabled' or pity; emphasize personhood.
• B. Using person-first language.
• C. Describing functional limitations only.
• D. Relying on medical labels.

Answer: (A)

Language matters in how we perceive and engage with people who have disabilities; using dehumanizing terms is a common mistake PTs should avoid. Saying “the disabled” or expressing pity frames disability as the defining attribute and as a deficit, which can strip a person of individuality and dignity. This kind of language can create distance, reduce collaboration, and undermine shared decision-making in rehabilitation. In contrast, emphasizing personhood and using respectful, person-first language—such as “a person with a disability”—centers the person, honors their identity, and supports a collaborative, patient-centered approach. It signals respect for autonomy, reduces bias, and can improve trust, engagement, and outcomes. Other approaches—focusing only on functional limitations or relying solely on medical labels—risk narrowing the interaction, overlooking the person’s goals and strengths, and reinforcing a clinician-centered view rather than a partnership.