When someone says Mentally Retarded instead of Mentally Challanged does that bother you?
I think the phrase ” mentally retarded” has started to offend people because SOME ignoramuses use it as an INSULT to others…they have adpoted this phrase and it is almost a curse word now. It used to be a medical diagnosis. Language changes constantly…and sometimes we do have to adopt a new word, because the “old” one has been misused so badly. It is like using the word “gay ” to refer to homosexuals. I think it is much better to just use the word “homosexual’ instead of a euphanism…a word which has now lost its original meaning…but , as I said, language changes constantly. This happens in other languages too, not just in English.
I think the politically correct term these days is ” a person has Learning Difficulties”. Mentally retarded seems insensitive because at one time that was how people were labelled and people didn’t like it so it was deemed inappropriate. Mentally challenged, to me, is between friends joking around but not for labelling anyone. I think we should always be sensitive to how we label people. My children have come home saying “that is retarded” and I don’t like it and explain why I think it is offencive.
After reading your question I went to see if the term had been changed from mental retardation to mental disabilities, but couldn’t find evidence of it. Maybe I didn’t look in the correct area. Currently the state I am residing in recognizes mental retardation per state rules and regs for certification purposes. Other states use the term mental disabilities and such but the critierion is the same, significantly delayed cognitive skills and significantly delayed adaptive skills. There are some rule out activities involved prior to certification and it is required that a licensed professional render the certification, but right now it looks like mental retardation is the correct term in a number of states. Mental Retardation is a diagnosis or certification, it doesn’t tell anyone how loving the child is, his or her talents, capabilities or hopes and dreams. Don’t get too caught up in the terms, they are vehicles for funding and understanding. Focus less on the words and more on the child
