When do you find it acceptable to use the term mentally retarded?

Question

Or mental retardation? I just used it in a reference in one of my answers referencing austism in the 90s. Do you think it's okay to use when referencing old disorders or old fashioned views of these disorders?

I know there's some people here who say people haven't used the word, retarded for a decade or two but not true in my region. I live in country bumpkin type of area where people are slow to new terminologies and new ideals to anything (to be quite blunt). It wasn't until after I started college that it was more PC to use disabled or special needs in the region.

P.S. I personally despise the word but to be honest it's just like the "n" word, it won't go away.

To the people who use the word, "retarded"; what disabilities do you consider to be retarded? Austism? Down's Syndrome? Cerebral Palsy? etc?

Autobots, so funny, lmao.

Answer 1

I use it all the time. If someone is mentally retarded, they're mentally retarded. Why sugarcoat it?

Answer 2

Mental Retardation is a harsh label.

I don't see when the last time I read or hear someone say it as a whole "mentally retarded".

However, people will take the word "retarded" out of context and haven't meant toward the child.

I don't think I need to know people's mind whether they are impaired or not because we are stranger.

When I was doing some volunteer work, some guy plan ahead and try to report falsely about me. He was a total jerk and a retard. I was notified by the security that if they receive one more complaint then I am kick out. I was also told according to what the guy qouted to the security, that I said a B$%#@ to him. I never done that. It just seem that anarchy and villian have a way to spoil nature.

Answer 3

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 4

Mental retardation remains a medical diagnosis for people who have specific problems with learning. There are many degrees of mental retardation. Used as a diagnosis I have little problem with it. I do think in many cases there are better words to describe people who have trouble learning that are more specific and accurate. The words mental retardation have been so misused that it is no longer understood properly by ordinary people - evidenced by the many people who use the term improperly on Yahoo answers.

Mentally retarded or retarded are offensive. Just because a person has a diagnosis of mental retardation does not that the words to describe them are mentally retarded.

The stigma attached to and the ignorance applied to use of mentally retarded or retarded or retard is so prevalent that most people don't really understand what it means.

Mentally retarded has come to mean stupid. It does not now or has ever meant stupid. It means a person learns more slowly - not that they do not learn at all or are stupid.

Answer 5

The whole PC thing has run rampant for long enough. Why must people pussyfoot around everything? Why is it so terrible if someone gets offended anyway?

If someone tells you you can't use a certain word, laugh in their face.

I call people retarded all the time. The PC crowd as well as other various dimwits.

Go ahead, give me a thumbs down. You'll only make yourself look even more ridiculous.

Answer 6

I never use it. I work in disability in Australia, and the term retard or retardation is never acceptable.

The preferred term is 'person with an intellectual disability'

Answer 7

My mom teach me I have Down syndrome. I have label mental retardation. It means I can't learn not I am stupid. People not stupid, people do stupid things.

Answer 8

Before it was applied to people, retarded meant that progress was slowed down or hindered in some way. Its technically fine, just people misusing it that has made it taboo. Ridiculous.

Answer 9

When I am describing Thomas Moore.

Answer 10

When talking about George Bush and his policies

Answer 11

Never have found it acceptable it is intellectual impairment or intellectual disabled