Are you offended by the term "mental retardation"?

Not offended at all. I am offended, however, by people who tell me I can't say it because I'm the mother of an autistic daughter. Heck, she even says someone's having an autistic moment. LOL Reminds me of a forum where some guy got upset because of reference to the "short bus". He didn't think it was appropriate because his step kid had to ride the short bus. I was like, "hello, you have to agree for your kid to ride the short bus, they don't just stick them on there to ruin the kid's life."

Words are only words. No matter what term you use, it's not going to bring back that leg or IQ level. I think it's just when a term is used in an offensive, insensitive way, is when we should react. I'm kind of concerned at how often teenagers refer to things as "retarded" but after all, they call things "gay" but homosexuals aren't offended by the term "gay" to the best of my knowledge. People are just loopy. In some areas you have to walk on eggshells, and at other times people get away with murder.

I am not, but I think alot of people are mainly because it is not what is wrong with them. My son has CP, but because he is non verbal, people assume that he is mentally retarded. He is not. I think they are trying to make it so that they can use general phrases and not get into trouble. I am not so sure that I would get rid of all papers, but maybe change it when it gets to the end. I have no problem telling people that my son is disabled, crippled, etc., but he is not mentally retarded. There is no retardation there, is what the Doctors have said, and that is not something that should be used to describe him. He cannot communicate verbally, due to physical limitations, not because he does not understand. He cannot do daily living things due to physical limitations not because he is not able to learn how to do it. I think there is probably a fine line of what they are able to label people with without getting a lawsuit against them, as that is the way people seem to deal with things anymore. I would never do that, but many would.

I see nothing wrong with calling a person with a low iq as mentally retarded and I go with my husband to physiotherapy and many of the people there are crippled, there is no doubt about it. When you are missing a leg, or both legs, or an arm, or part of a leg or an arm, when you have two stubs, you are definitely crippled. With fat it is different, there is the gradually expanding so you are large, and there is the blubbery, bouncy bouncy type of fat and there is there definitely obese and no one wants to be called the flubby bubby, bouncy bouncy jello wriggles all over fat. And now they want to call mentally retarded people, mentally challenged as if by hard work, they can overcome this challenge. I don't think so.

It depends on how people say it. If they are just stating facts, then no, I would not be offended. For example, when my husband and I were told by doctors that our oldest son was not only autistic, but was severely retarded as well, we weren't offended by it, even though it did break our hearts. However if someone was to say in a rude ugly tone of voice that our son is retarded, then yes, I would be highly offended and would want to punch that person out (even though I wouldn't actually do it). I have mixed feelings about this. I can understand why some would want this changed and for it to be called something else, yet at the same time it won't change what it really is. Why waste all this money on changing the words, when this money could be used for something much more useful, like homes for the disabled, or something else in those lines?

Hello dragon54u.I agree withyour point of view on this topic.As far as I knew, menatl redardation was a medical term and not a "street" or "slang" term for someone.I have however heard alot of other rude terms for that.It is really ridiculous how some people get offended so easily. Just recently,well about 6 months ago, there was a similiar article in my local newspaper.a new minor league baseball team came about in our area.They were called "Iron Pigs". This caused a lot of excitement so, they sponsered a contest to name the mascot .(which was indeed a pig). Well, a little girl,I believe she was no older than 8,was claimed the winnernaming the mascot "Pork Chop". I remember thinking that it was such a cute name! She was very excited as the paper said as she won some prizes and was able to be the one person to name this mascot! No longer than a month later, there was another article about this. Some miserable man made a big fuss over the name of this mascot.He said it was offensive to peurto-ricans. He claimed something about it being a racist name to call s puerto-rican back in the day. So, as a result of this, the name had to be changed!I can just imagine the little girl's dissappointment when her parents had to tell her this.I am not positive, but I believe they let the little girl pick the name again,but come on! Are people this bored? Maybe that man thought this young child was being racist? I have a spanish husband.Puerto rican himself and he never even heard about that! He even said how ridiculous this was! Well, soon our conversations will be taking alot longer because we will have to edit our whole vocabulary not to offend others!

I see problems with using it. For one thing, we have allowed comedians to use the term "retarded" so much that now it just means someone stupid. It's used too much as an insult. I think it has gone the way of "moron" and "idiot" and "imbecile." Just too outdated. Besides, it is used as a generalized term medically. People who have autism, cerebral palsy and other disorders are often referred to as "retarded," which they may or may not be. It's the same as, in the past, calling people who are unable to speak or hear "deaf and dumb." Dumb gained a whole new meaning by being used to mean "stupid." One thing you said confused me: "If you tell someone a differently abled person is coming to your door, how to you know how to react?! You don't know if they're physically crippled or missing a leg or what." My question is, if you tell someone that a crippled person is coming to your door, how do you know if they're physically crippled or missing a leg or what? Why don't you just yell, "There's a one-legged man at the door! Or there is a man with only one foot at the door? I don't think your argument made much sense. Most of us are scared or at least uncomfortable around people with disabilities, whether they are mental or physical. It's something we should learn to deal with when we are children, but not everyone's parents know how to explain it, do they? There is no excuse for this attitude toward mentally or physically disabled people; by the time we grow up, we should know how to respect everyone. And that includes using their spoken and written terms. It's not too much to ask.

I'm only offended when people use the term for people who aren't clinically retarded (for example, "You disagree with my opinion, so you must be retarded.") We can't call someone crippled? I guess we'll have to rewrite all the Bibles in the world. The last time I checked, Jesus healed the crippled, not the disabled. Don't even get me started on the term "differently abled" because "abled" isn't a word (not according to the dictionaries I've checked.) And, yes, I'm also fat. There have been times when people drove by me yelling "Fat boy!" I just smile and think "Is that all you could come up with?"

I believe that some of it comes down to the fact that those agencies serve people with many different developmental disabilities, some that can't actually be classified as mental retardation - such as Autism or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Labels such as mental retardation can follow a child throughout life even though the initial diagnosis may not be correct and can have a very large impact on the services they receive through our educational and medical communities.

Hi, how are you? Its been such a long time since i have been here at mylot. So how is eveything and how is work?? i think the authorities are right, cause the word itself is very harsh. And although the mentally challenged know that but it still might hurt them. And i also think you are right, spending so much to change a term wouldnt help much but it might make them fel a part of the so called normal people. The authorities can also use the money to help the one's in need (in medical need )rather than changing the term.

hi dear this is actually very tricky some people do get offended here they call such children special kid..i have a neighbour who has a special child and people do show a different attitude towards her but i treat her in the same way as my son because i think most important is to make them feel equal she plays with my son with the ball and she even follows simple instructions and this actually makes her happy...so i just call her by her name and this condition is never spoken off..i am fat and i am actually very sportive about it so big deal if i am fat i am fat very simple..but this is me i dont mind it all are not same

I am not offended by the term, however I am old enough to know at some point it was the correct term, as given to us by doctors. I have an aunt that is now in her 50's and was diagnosed at birth as being "mentally retarded". If you look at her medically records it reflects the same. If you look at her IQ tests results it is labled reflects the same. All I know is that she is still she has been tested and mentally she has the learning capacity of a 5 year old. Nothing has changed about that. No matter what you now refer to her as. But we live in a time where everyone is to be politically correct. And let me tell you that the terms of being politically correct change about as often as politicians do. And in this day where people will sue you over any and everything, you had better be correct when you open your mouth or you will end up financially retarded. As a taxpayer I would much rather see this money spent on other things to better support the life they are forced to live due to mental or physical limitations rather than appeasing what someone deems offensive verbage.

I am curious what they are planning to change "mentally retarded" to... "Developmentally disabled" wouldn't cut it, because that's a catch-all that also includes autism and cerebral palsy (among others), and there are different needs for different disabilities so it wouldn't work to just use the catch-all... I'm with you. I used to work with ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens), and people were shocked at the name of my company. I would explain to them that yes, they work with retarded citizens, and no, they are not ashamed of it. WHY would they change their name to go along with some current PC fad? And waste funds that could be going towards services for their clients?

Welcome to the age of political correctness. I too grew up in an era where this phrase was common. Slow learner was another phrase. The crux of the problem is that truly mentally challenged people could care less! They are after all mentally incapacitated. The perceived problem then lies with caregivers. I must admit if you look at from this vein then the offense of it becomes a little clearer. Lets say you have a child who is mentally challenged possibly by Downs Syndrome. The stygmatism of the phrase retarded or mentally retarded would seem very offensive indeed. The child is blissfully unaware of his or her disorder. You as the hypothetical parent would feel hurt, rejected, anguished and bitter over having your child whom you adore referred to by their handicap. The problem we face is only to fit a more compassionate phrase into our vocabulary. Still I understand where you're coming from. We are a society in flux. We are constantly asked to change our thinking patterns and bear the expense for the sake of political correctness. A phrase which in and of itself that should be changed, as there is nothing correct about politics! The good sense and manners my mother taught me keeps me from calling politics what it is.

This day in age people are too sensitive. I think this sort of decision spans from the word "retard" and it's use in American culture. We are selves (well mean people, not everyone) have made this word offensive. I've seen the word "retard" and "retarded" thrown around as insults my entire life..from when i was in grade school on up. I don't think calling someone who does in fact suffer from mental retardation "mentally retarded" , should be considered offensive. And if they do take it offensively they need to grow thicker skin. It's a term used to describe a condition, and if it's used for anything other than that it needs to be ignored.

It does denegrate from the person's outward image. It is better for people to find out about this in person and then deal with the subject in the context of their own rapport. It is not good for any officialdom to be stating a person is retarded. We can all judge for ourselves.

I really don't think that "mental retardation" should be viewed as anything derogatory. That is what it has been called for years. I have heard a lot worse things in the name of retardation. I do not have a physical or mental handicap however I do feel offended when people make fun of these people. I don't think that you making fun and I think that you have a viable purpose for your discussion.

Hi dragon54u, how are you doing? I am a 59-year-old woman who has seen a whole lot in those 59 years. I am reasonably intelligent, sensitive, and never, ever knowingly hurt anyone's feelings. I have a 58-year-old brother who, as a child, was diagnosed with slight brain damage, cause unknown. My parents were told that he would never function on a level more than about 17 years old. I would consider him to be mentally retarded. I think it is totally asinine that we have to "watch what we say" so that we don't offend someone. Yes, we should sensor how we say certain things so that we don't hurt someone's feelings. But, to call someone who can't walk without assistance differently abled? OMG! As far as differently challenged, aren't we ALL differently challenged? I guess I just don't get it. I have never worried about being PC. I'm not going to start now. If I see someone who is mentally retarded, they are just that.

I'd like to know how you offend a mentally retarded person by calling them mentally retarded. Really you are offending the people that feel bad for the person or are looking for the next lawsuit they can win big bucks on. I don't feel you can offend someone who doesn't understand the meaning of the word. Now if you use the word in a derogatory manner yes, it can be offensive. Then again so can any word used in a derogatory way no matter what its meaning. Blonde, would be a great example. It's a wonderful descriptive word that defines color of a golden hue. Yet in today's society, it can be used in a derogatory way as air head, hair-brained, and stupid.

I am a person with a disability and of course it would offend me to be 'labeled' as that.One time when I was working in a longterm housing facility as a hosuekeeper my boss asked why I did'nt understand and asked her if I could write down what I was told and she basically told me to leave.Now a days when someone says that I would be offended.Many people with disabilities are labeled that.But you just don't have to have a disability.Heck everyone has one of those these days and that is not wrong. I think it is rather okay to be "special". That makes you different.But really and truthfully it hurts to be called that.I grew up with many struggles and I still do.My husband thankfully and loving enough helps with me in how to pay rent,bills and grocery shop. Whatever you call it You call it.But may the Lord in heaven call you for what you call one person that.As it says in the bible he will deal with you in time. I had my problems in school and still do with the math and all. But I will never be ashasmed to be called "special". or "disabled" That's that.