is "developmentally delayed" the same as "Mentally retarded?"?

Question

I live in the South,and teachers,and those in the education field,have labelled my 4 year old and treat her like she is retarded,and use the term interchangeably. I resent it and have told them so,and they still insist on using the negative term. I am afraid this will cause a bad reaction to my daughter when she is older and knows what " retarded" means.

Answer 1

I am a special education teacher in Michigan. I suggest looking up the definitions in the DSM-IV manual. Unless your child was diagnosed by doctors as being cognitively impaired (new name for mentally retarded) then she will not be labeled that. The term mentally retarded should not be used anymore. The name was changed under IDEA 97. I think it was an addendum. She is most likely developmentally delayed and all that means is that she is behind other students her age with reaching certain milestones at certain times. With early intervention at a young age, she could catch up to same age kids. If they are treating her like a child with cognitive impairments, then she isn't being taught like she should be. She should have high expectations put on her. Also, if she is labeled, she needs an IEP. Within an IEP there are goals and objectives that both the teachers and parents have to agree upon. Those goals and objectives are specific focus areas that the teachers should be focusing on. There are also accomodations and modifications that would be in there that would follow her until she doesn't need them. Like visual schedules, number lines, reading tests out loud...etc. In any case, you can get an advocate from any organization to help you out. YOu can then file due process if the school district is not willing to work with you. As a parent you have a right to a trial if they are not following the law. Go to the Americans with Disabilities Act website and you can find people to talk to there and get an advocate. Research away. They should not be treating your daughter like that.

Answer 2

Mental retardation usually indicates that an individual has an IQ less than 70. Developmental delay indicates that a child is making progress at a slower rate. Meaning for example a 5 year old is funcitoning at a 3 year old level in various domains. Some professionals feel the term Developmentally delayed is a softer term. It is rare that children receive the MR diagnosis anymore. Usually is coexists with another disorder (i.e., autism, Cerebral palsy, etc.)

Some kids with developmental delays do well with early intervention and special education and may begin to function more age appropriately. If your daughter's IQ is lower than 70 and you feel she needs to be retested then request a re-evaluation. IQ's don't always remain static and some people do make some gains on their performance.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Developmentally Delayed usually means that certain physical "functions" have not been learned/grasped by the "normal" age. For Instance, my son only learned to jump when he was 3 years old - he should have learned by age 2. Mentally Retarded refers to a deficiency in brain function. This may means that the brain does not process information like that of a "normal" child. Sometimes, this brain fumction may only be delayed in that the evaluators believe that she will learn what she is lacking in time. A retarded person will not learn past a certain point.

That being said....

Insist that teachers use the appropriate term. Actually, insist that they use no term to descibe her other than terms they would use for any other "normal" child. You are your child's only and strongest advocate. If you don't stand up for her, no one will. You are protected under the federal IDEA law. (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Please look up this law so that you can discuss it with the teachers. A parent that is armed with knowledge will make a much better impact.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I can understand you concern. The two terms describe the same thing but "Mentally Retarded" is such a derogatory term and in the Disability movement, it is no longer used. Unfortunately, some people don't see this same viewpoint.

You may have to try harder to re-educate the people who are usig the term. Have you try talking to higher authority and ask them on the education policy about children with learning disabiity? There may also need to be in-service training for all the teachers about current thoughts on disability (not just the people who you are referring to - so this will then NOT single them out and cause resentment on their part)

The best way of all is modelling. You just keep using the correct term (appropriately within conversation) in their presence. And DON'T try to correct them - this will only make them defensive and get you offside. Keep calm. Even when they use the term with you, DON'T react but use the correct term when you have to. Don't preach - it will only make them resist. Just don't fall into using the word "retarded" yourself.

The worst case scenario is to move the child. But I hope t won't come to that.

In Australia, we have gone way forward past what you have described. I am sad to think that the USA is still like that with special education.

If you need to discuss further please email me at [e-mail]

I am NOT a teacher or an education expert in disability but I will help in whatever way I can. I have worked in disabiity services for many years and I might be able to point you to the right resources regarding your queries.


Hope this helps in some way

Answer 5

No! My daughter is develomentally delayed, and her IQ is 117. IQ is based on ability to learn, not on how much you know currently. Also, most IQ tests are not appropriate for people with DD because often they are unable to communicate everything they are thinking of.

She is not mentally retarded unless her IQ is below 70 points. Write a letter to the school pointing out that she is not MR (if that is indeed the case) and that it is not appropriate for them to refer to her label in any means. She is a child first, and they could really use some sensitivity training. If they don't respond, you have your letter to take further action. Send a copy along with a letter explaining your problem to the superintendent of the school system, as well as the school board.

Good luck.

Answer 6

No, my daughter had a develop. delay. in all areas. Now she is 5 and her cognitive is normal. I was told that the reason they gave my daughter that title was bec. she was to young to find out what was causing the delays. She is now 5, I have to get her tested for audio processing disorder, pdd, sensory disorder. I thought my daughter had these disorders. Then, I found out the other day that my cousins have one of those disorders or 2 of the disorders. Don't worry, your daughter will over come her delays in time. My cousins have normal lives. 2 of my cousin have there associates degree. They have normal lives and you would never know. I'm soooo sorry to hear there acting like that. That is rude wording and I would change schools
*also if she has delays she should have an IEP

Answer 7

Some people do use them interchangibly, but they are different.

As for living in the south, I'd tell you to leave if you at all come and come to a place like Colorado, Washington State, Utah where they help kids more. If you are black, I'm sorry but in the south too often kids with dark skin get labeled too many things they are not.

Developmentally delayed can mean several things. Such as if your child was a premie, she may be behind and many premies need extra help to catch up in their developmental stages, simply becuase being born early can put them being in learning to talk, learning to walk, learning social skills.

Many children are developmentally delayed by being the onlly child in a home and the parents not knowing how or what to expect at each stage of development from a child, so they do everything for the child, so the child doesn't learn the skills themselves. That's why places like Head Start here in Utah accepts kids early, at three, so if they are not getting the right social interacts in their home evironment, they get a chance to learn them at Head Start.

Developmentally delayed doesn't mean they can't learn or won't learned. It means DELAYED, as in it's not happened yet or htey are behind the average child there age in being able to sit still for story time. Being able to follow group rules. Being able to get along with other children. It can be that they have learning problems. If I had been tested when I was adopted at age 81/2 I most definately would have been labeled developmentally delayed. WHY? I had undiagnosed dyslexia that made it so I could barely read anything, couldn't tell time. Becuase I'd not been allowed to socialize with children outside my own family, I found it hard to know what to do with other kids. All those if I had been tested coudl have got me labeled developmentally delayed. Yet when tested finally as an adult, I tested out with an I.Q of 145. Yet because of my dyslexic, which makes learningto spell well hard, I'm smart, but I still struggle with spelling and I read slowly, though I understand everything I read.

Labels can be helpful if a person is then given the right resources to develop to the best of their ability. But when it's just a label to catigorize, it's harmful.

I'd really suggest getting out of the south if someone can help you move and get set up. I've just heard too many negative stories about children with problems getting labled and not getting the help in the south, as well as in large cities.

If you have a head start in your area, ask them to evaluate your daughter. Ask to have in writing even where you are, a letter stating exactly what they mean when they say developmentally delayed and details and explanations of what her delays are. Then find out waht can be done to help her progress the best. \

let's say she is Mentally retarded, whcih means it will be life long. There are still various degrees. Many Mentally Retarded individuals who have loving support and encouragement can at least graduate from high school. Many can still be good Mom's and Dad's and many can with support go on to be totally self sufficient. I've know several mildlly retarded women who worked and had famlies. They just needed help with budgets and money management and needed extra help as they went throug the stages of their own children's development, but they made wonderful mothers.

Whatever reallly is her problems, help her develop to the best her of her potential, but knowing facts to begin with, helps you in making good choices for her. Do not allow people to label her and talk down to you. Ask for facts and then do all you can to find free or paid resources if you can afford them, that will allow her to develop every skill she does have and live a good life.

I wish you the best.

Answer 8

No,it's not the same issue,because mentally retarded it's a problem without exit,the otherone can be succesfully solved!

Answer 9

no, I live in the south too. My son was developmentally delayed in his speech. It just means they aren't learning certain things as fast as other kids their age.

Answer 10

If you are DD you can still go to school on the long bus, if you are MR you go to school on the short bus.