Disability terminology: the use of "disability," "disorder," and "illness" in academic writing.

The way individuals write and talk about conditions may indicate the way they think about the conditions.When compared to articles written about physical conditions, the term "disability" is used less by academic writers than when discussing mental conditions.This suggests that academic writers may view mental conditions as less "prototypical" disabilities (compared to physical conditions).Careful consideration should be given to the language used when discussing all types of disabilities.When writers, media professionals, policymakers, and the public are educated on the diverse range of conditions and the unique challenges they present to individuals, only then can rehabilitation be truly comprehensive and effective.