Disabilities, Neurodiversity, and Chronic Illness

Dwarfism or short stature describes a condition in which an adult human’s height is below a certain threshold (typically 4-foot-10). There are several forms of dwarfism, both proportional and disproportional, and short stature can be caused by many factors, including genetic or environmental conditions. The terms “little person,” “person of short stature,” or “dwarf” are the ones now most commonly accepted to describe such conditions, though someone may identify with one, more, or none of these terms. While dwarfism is recognized as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, someone diagnosed with dwarfism may not identify as having a disability or being part of a disability community. If necessary and relevant to coverage to include such an identifier, taking into account a person’s preference whenever possible ensures coverage aligns with their lived experience.

People with HIV or AIDS have long faced stigmas and discrimination. When describing a person with HIV or AIDS, “person with [HIV or AIDS],” “person living with [HIV or AIDS],” or “person who is HIV-positive” is straightforward; following the person’s preferred terminology whenever possible aligns your framing with their lived experience. Disclosing an HIV or AIDS status can have major repercussions for a person’s life. As with disclosing any health condition, it should be done only when relevant and necessary to coverage, and it’s important to confirm with someone whether they are comfortable having their status written about publicly.

Intellectual and developmental disabilities are disabilities that occur before the age of 18. Developmental disabilities can include physical and/or intellectual delays; the abbreviation IDD is sometimes used to signify that intellectual and other disabilities are present. Developmental disabilities include lifelong conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Euphemisms like “special,” “special needs,” or “intellectually challenged” are vague and may be perceived as patronizing; language such as “has a developmental disability” or specifying the disability is straightforward and helpful for clarity.

“Invisible disability” usually refers to a disability that is not readily apparent to an outside observer. Unless mentioning an invisible disability is intrinsic to a story or matches how someone self-identifies, saying “disability” covers any and all disabilities, including seemingly invisible ones. Describing someone as invisibly disabled when they have not expressed this as their preference can be seen as prioritizing others’ perception of them over their experience.

Palliative care is a type of medical treatment focused on relieving symptoms and pain and managing a serious illness. It is distinct from hospice care in that it can be given at any point within an illness, whereas hospice care is only provided as end-of-life care.