Is retarded an acceptable term?

Question

I don't mean to insult anyone or be disrespectful but I want to know what an acceptable term is to describe someone with delays?

I hear people say you should say they have "Down's Syndrome" but not all mental retardation is caused by DS.

I also see many medical websites still use the term retarded.

Is developmentally delayed/challenged/handicap a more socially acceptable term?

Just wondering. Thanks!

Answer 1

retarded is actually the technical term but many people are referred to as retarded that are not and that's why so many people frown upon the use of the word now. I think when used properly it is the acceptable term.  

Answer 2

Medically, retarded is a rather defunct term and is not considered politically correct.  It is used in the DSM-IV-TR.  Educationally for those that are below the 70 IQ, they are referred to as cognitively delayed, developmentally delayed, or the new terms EMH and TMH.  EMH is educable mentally handicapped and replaces the mild retardation range of 55-70.  TMH is trainable mentally handicapped and replaces moderate mental retardation with full scale IQ scores of 40-55.

Answer 3

The terms "r****d", "retarded", "challenged", "handicap", "mentally Disabled",  "mentally handicap",  "mentally challenged", and "mentally retarded"  are not Politically Correct. These terms are considered to be offensive by various PWDs (Persons With Disabilities) including me.

These Politically Correct terms are from the People First Language (PFL).

1. Cognitive Disability

2. Learning Disability

3. Intellectual Disability

4. Developmental Disability

5. Developmental Delay

In People First Language (PFL) they say "Person with a Developmental Delay"," Person with a Learning Disability" and etc.

***To play it safe, always let PWDs (Persons With Disabilities) take the lead in what terms they want to be referred by. But first and formost, PWDs want to be called by their name.***

Answer 4

This is a great question.   To a parent is it unacceptable and hurtful.  Especially when "Normal" people use it in casual talking.

Developmentally delayed is more acceptable.   But I guess there is no nice way to say your kid is not " normal".   So, it depends on who you ask.

For me, it is not acceptable.

Answer 5

This has become a commonly used term of derision. You will notice it being used for the least provocation and seems to have entered the slang usage of young people these days.Since it also has a legitimate

use to describe a person with learning difficulties its use otherwise can be deemed to doubly offensive and reflects badly on the personality of the person that misuses it. Make your own conclusion.

Answer 6

well its a common insult i know many young people who use this term when referring to someone stupid or ignorant not mentally challenged as for medical term use most used the term mentally handicap or challenged  

Answer 7

Retarded is the legal term, but it is offensive.  The more FPF term is mentally challenged. People can also have some developmental delays and not be considered MR.   I think that it is great that you are  considered of yet another disadvantaged minority group.  On behalf of my relatives and friends of children with disabilities, I thank you.

I have to say that we have a long way to go in terms of how we treat others and how we think about people who may be different from what we think is the "norm".   This is why inclusion is so important.  If kids are allowed to learn, study, play and socialize together, rather than isolating and highlighting the differences, they will adjust to each other and learn to accept one another and the things that we see as differences with seem more normal to us.  Take care

Answer 8

It is an actually medical term.

For example, if you watch Discovery Health Channel shows about Labor and Delivery, you might hear them mention that shoulder stenosia can cause "retardation."

There are different disabilities, that all have different causes.

Autism, Downes Syndome, Cerebral Palsy.

I personally wouldn't use the term "retarded" to refer to any of those people.

However, there are a group of people who are categorized to be disabled be "mental retardation."

Either way, I don't use the term, because you don't know what could be disabling someone. You wouldn't want to assume that an autistic child is retarded, or any child that isn't "normal" has Downs Syndrome. You know?

Therefore, I usually use a euphamism like "delayed."

Answer 9

mentally retarded used to be the term used but its gotten to be a degrading name kids call each other and that is why i say mentally challenged

Answer 10

i think the correct usage is that it is the person with the syndrome and not the syndrome then the person. no retarded isn't used anymore to describe people but the term mentally retarded is used for those whose IQ are below 40 and will never be able to do basic daily life skills.

there are so many reasons for delays and that's what they are, delays.

down syndrome doesn't make people retarded they are just delayed in most areas and they have a change in physical characteristics.

the other poster was correct to say that you should the person choose the way they want to be referred as otherwise they are referred to as their name.

Answer 11

I do find it offensive and archaic.  I prefer and use the term "individual with a cognitive impairment" or "developmental delay".  When I lived in Michigan, the school districts STILL used Educable Mentally Retarded/Impaired and Trainable Mentally Retarded/Impaired.  In Texas, school districts still use Mental Retardation and often refer to students as MR.  Ugh!

I worked in a clinic for children with disabilities a few years ago.  The doctors did use mental retardation as a medical diagnosis but there were usually other neurological factors associated with this.

Answer 12

I can only answer for myself.   To me it is not offensive when it is used as in the medical sense, as a diagnosis.  Obviously it is offensive if you call some one a r****d or say they're retarded as an epithet.     If someone said that my son, who is autistic, is mentally retarded, it would not offend me as long as it were being used medically.  A doctor, school psychologist or teacher could possibly use it that way.  Somebody on the street would not know enough about him to use it that way.  I think we should use the correct name for the disability when possible.  Saying my son is autistic or that he is a person with autism is enough. (Some people want the speaker to use the passive tense, putting the word person before the disability as it focuses on the individual not their diability).   Personally, I think developmentally delayed should be used when the individual is actually delayed and will reach a normal functioning level.   Mentally Challenged is a fine term.  A lot of people don't like handicapped, they'd rather use another term.  It would be safe to leave the term "mentally retarded" to the medical doctors and use the other terms.

Answer 13

this also in the News recently – because of movie Tropic Thunder & related boycott -- quoting News pages,

“More than a dozen groups on Monday called for a boycott of the film “Tropic Thunder,” citing what they described as the movie’s disregard for people with intellectual disabilities.”

& “In the new comedy Tropic Thunder, Ben Stiller plays an action movie star who once played a mentally disabled character. The actors use the word "r****d" more than a dozen times. Timothy Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, says the word's use leads to suffering, injustice and exclusion.”

Retarded (let alone calling someone a r****d) is ‘Politically incorrect’! -- the other terms are euphemisms maybe, anyway nicer;

Down’s more technical (but Mongo~  always a no-no -- another movie: Something About Mary!)

& as you say not always the case.

(Can all this be similar to old-days example,  Ã¢Â€Â˜*****’ comp. to usual terminology? --

discouraged because of emotional baggage   & negative connotations)

Altho wordier  better to go with terms in ‘disabled’ category --

& if necessary one can be more specific, physical  or intellectual disabilities.

(edit)

about Medical terms– some lingo maybe a carry-over from archaic medical texts – we are laymen so who knows. anyway I think the ‘R Word’ now more-or-less abandoned & universally discouraged.

PS   If I understand your username correctly – good luck on your upcoming child! – Great Expectations -- & ties in with this, children never “100%” & hopefully, whether 95% or whatever!, all children are appreciated as wonderful gifts.

Answer 14

I think it could be offensive