Is intellectual disability the same as mental retardation? Why do programs still say mental retardation?
Mental retardation and intellectual disability are two names for the same thing. But intellectual disability is gaining currency as the preferred term. In fact, the American Association on Mental Retardation changed its name in 2007 to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. It is crucial that ‘mental retardation’ and ‘intellectual disability’ should be precisely synonymous in definition and in all related classification because current federal and state laws contain the term ‘mental retardation’. That is the term used in law and public policy to determine eligibility for state and federal programs, including the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act—IDEA (2004), Social Security Disability Insurance, and Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver. Also, the term ‘mental retardation’ is used for citizenship and legal status, civil and criminal justice, early care and education, training and employment, income support, health care, and housing and zon
