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Holy Sh*t I Have ADHD - What's In A Name? Person-First Language - Episode 15

What's In A Name? Person-First Language - Episode 15

Explicit content warning

05/12/21 • 65 min

Holy Sh*t I Have ADHD

A lot has changed in the way we talk about health over the last 40 years. Including the terminology around disability.

Person-first language entered the popular lexicon in the early 1980s, when AIDS activists in Denver rightfully advocated for terms that centered their humanity and not victimhood. But other groups, including Deaf and Blind advocates, felt that PFL terms were ableist, emphasizing personhood over disability, when those disabilities are integral to their experience of the world, shaping their individual identities and giving rise to a rich disability culture.

This week, Robbie and Jordan talk through their thoughts and feelings on Person-First and Identity-First language as it relates to ADHD. The identity-first construction of "ADHD Person" is grammatically awkward, but PFL's "person with ADHD" contains an underlying implication that it's a problem to be solved. ADHD isn't a disease to be cured, but a different brain composition. A large part of treatment is simply awareness; people who understand themselves as ADHD, recognize the disabling and disruptive aspects and how they affect their lives, can take the first step to creating mitigation strategies through individualized care.

They also discuss Elon Musk's recent appearance on SNL, the ensuing discussion around the term Asperger's, and why it's a problematic label for Autistic people. Devon Price offers a succinct primer on the mistaken use of the word in this article.

They also talk about how the shifts in language over time means they can habitually slip into ableist language, even about their own experience, and how the anonymity of information hubs like Twitter facilitates the kind of language and identity policing that stymies authentic dialogue.

Jordan mentions an upcoming book by Da'Shaun L. Harrison. You can find their book Belly of the Beast on this preorder page and follow Da'Shaun's Twitter: @DaShaunLH

Hosted by Robbie McDonald and Jordan Lane. Production by Robbie McDonald and music by Jordan Lane.

Find HSIHADAD online:

anchor.fm/holyshitihaveadhd

patreon.com/holyshitihaveadhd

HSIHADHD Facebook

Twitter: @hsihadhd

Instagram: @holyshitihaveadhd

Robbie: twitter.com/robertadinvan

Jordan: linktr.ee/thefresheye

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A lot has changed in the way we talk about health over the last 40 years. Including the terminology around disability.

Person-first language entered the popular lexicon in the early 1980s, when AIDS activists in Denver rightfully advocated for terms that centered their humanity and not victimhood. But other groups, including Deaf and Blind advocates, felt that PFL terms were ableist, emphasizing personhood over disability, when those disabilities are integral to their experience of the world, shaping their individual identities and giving rise to a rich disability culture.

This week, Robbie and Jordan talk through their thoughts and feelings on Person-First and Identity-First language as it relates to ADHD. The identity-first construction of "ADHD Person" is grammatically awkward, but PFL's "person with ADHD" contains an underlying implication that it's a problem to be solved. ADHD isn't a disease to be cured, but a different brain composition. A large part of treatment is simply awareness; people who understand themselves as ADHD, recognize the disabling and disruptive aspects and how they affect their lives, can take the first step to creating mitigation strategies through individualized care.

They also discuss Elon Musk's recent appearance on SNL, the ensuing discussion around the term Asperger's, and why it's a problematic label for Autistic people. Devon Price offers a succinct primer on the mistaken use of the word in this article.

They also talk about how the shifts in language over time means they can habitually slip into ableist language, even about their own experience, and how the anonymity of information hubs like Twitter facilitates the kind of language and identity policing that stymies authentic dialogue.

Jordan mentions an upcoming book by Da'Shaun L. Harrison. You can find their book Belly of the Beast on this preorder page and follow Da'Shaun's Twitter: @DaShaunLH

Hosted by Robbie McDonald and Jordan Lane. Production by Robbie McDonald and music by Jordan Lane.

Find HSIHADAD online:

anchor.fm/holyshitihaveadhd

patreon.com/holyshitihaveadhd

HSIHADHD Facebook

Twitter: @hsihadhd

Instagram: @holyshitihaveadhd

Robbie: twitter.com/robertadinvan

Jordan: linktr.ee/thefresheye

Previous Episode

undefined - ADHD, Body Image, and Disordered Eating - Episode 14

ADHD, Body Image, and Disordered Eating - Episode 14

Content warning: this episode contains a frank discussion about subjects related to body image, including eating disorders. Listener discretion is advised.

Robbie and Jordan talk about their experiences with body image, self-esteem, and disordered eating. There is a link between ADHD and eating disorders, but it's hard to untangle how much of these behaviours relate to ADHD when there are myriad social pressures that contribute, particularly for women.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, there are resources available through NEDIC (Canada), NEDA (USA), and a large (but not vetted) list of organizations grouped by country on the F.E.A.S.T. page.

*****

Photographer and friend of the show Ryan Walter Wagner is working on a portrait project of ADHDers who discovered their neurodivergence in adulthood, and kicked it off with a portrait of Robbie! If you're in the Vancouver area and would like to participate, you can get in touch with him at ryanwalterwager (at) gmail (dot) com. More details from Ryan below:

Portrait Project, Adult ADHD.
ADHD is the most under recognized, yet most treatable mental health disorder in Canada.
A couple months ago a friend of mine posted a link to a new podcast they were doing called “Holy Sh*t I have ADHD”. I wanted to support them, so I clicked the link and listened to about 1/2 of the first episode and slowly lifted my jaw off the floor. So much of what Robbie & Jordan were talking about shone a real light on a lot of things I’ve struggled with since... forever.
Later that week I mentioned to my therapist that I related so much to the podcast and she put in the motions to have me assessed for Adult ADHD.
I’ve had my official diagnosis for about 2 weeks now. It’s weird place to be in. Grieving for the past and trying so hard to be hopeful for the future.
It is nice to know there are ways to help me navigate my muddy mind and I’m finding people to talk to and people that are helping me. It’s a weird journey, but I have to do something!
Through the podcast ‘Holy Sh*t I have ADHD’ I was able to find out so much more about myself. I will always be grateful for the light they shine on Adult ADHD. For me it was obviously eye opening and has changed a lot of things for me.
In turn, I want to create a portrait project that highlights people that have been diagnosed with Adult ADHD, to start a discussion that may inspire others to have a closer look at their mental health.
I’m looking for people that have been diagnosed with Adult ADHD and are interested in sharing their story and having their portrait taken. Please share this where applicable.
Anyone interested can reach me at: ryanwalterwager (at) gmail (dot) com

*****

Hosted by Robbie McDonald and Jordan Lane. Production and music by Jordan Lane.

HSIHADAD:

anchor.fm/holyshitihaveadhd

patreon.com/holyshitihaveadhd

Robbie: twitter.com/robertadinvan

Jordan: linktr.ee/thefresheye

Next Episode

undefined - Porous Boundaries & Personality Fluidity - Episode 16

Porous Boundaries & Personality Fluidity - Episode 16

This week, Robbie and Jordan chat about the unique ways in which ADHD makes us socialize differently from other people. As empathetic people, people with porous boundaries, people who are good at "fitting in" through mirroring and other adaptive behaviours, it can be easier for us to get along with others and make friends. But getting so much of your sense of worth from others can leave us feeling unmoored and anchorless when alone, unsure how we're "supposed" to behave absent another's lead.

Who are we? Who are we REALLY, though? Can we get to the chewy Tootsie Pop center of our "true selves" hidden beneath the delicious candy layers of social conditioning and people-pleasing?

Hosted by Robbie McDonald and Jordan Lane. Production and music by Jordan Lane.

Find HSIHADAD online:

anchor.fm/holyshitihaveadhd

patreon.com/holyshitihaveadhd

HSIHADHD Facebook

Twitter: @hsihadhd

Instagram: @holyshitihaveadhd

Robbie: twitter.com/robertadinvan

Jordan: linktr.ee/thefresheye

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