Article: https://arcmass.org/Portals/0/renamingMRIDDApril2007.pdf
The attached article discusses the change in terminology from mental retardation to intellectual disability, the importance of this change, and possible concerns as well. I think this article correlates directly with our first lecture, and specifically the article within it regarding the importance of language. Society emphasis political correctness when addressing those with disabilities, but by doing so we risk shortchanging those with the disabilities. Over time “labels” have changed, but the disabilities remain the same. Modifying these labels may take away some of the associated negative connotations, which is great, but ultimately we must keep in mind that these “labels” are just that – labels. This article puts a great emphasis on this fact. Over time the language has changed but the three main points that constitute intellectual disability have remained the same – “limitations in intellectual functioning, behavioral limitations in adapting to environmental demands, and early age of onset”. Individuals formerly diagnosed with mental retardation should thus be unquestioningly diagnosed with intellectual disability since the terms are synonymous. All the benefits and services that were needed for those with mental retardation are still needed for individuals diagnosed with intellectual disability. The name may have changed and hopefully society’s attitude toward people who are intellectually disabled has as well, but the needs of these individuals remain the same.
The attached article discusses the change in terminology from mental retardation to intellectual disability, the importance of this change, and possible concerns as well. I think this article correlates directly with our first lecture, and specifically the article within it regarding the importance of language. Society emphasis political correctness when addressing those with disabilities, but by doing so we risk shortchanging those with the disabilities. Over time “labels” have changed, but the disabilities remain the same. Modifying these labels may take away some of the associated negative connotations, which is great, but ultimately we must keep in mind that these “labels” are just that – labels. This article puts a great emphasis on this fact. Over time the language has changed but the three main points that constitute intellectual disability have remained the same – “limitations in intellectual functioning, behavioral limitations in adapting to environmental demands, and early age of onset”. Individuals formerly diagnosed with mental retardation should thus be unquestioningly diagnosed with intellectual disability since the terms are synonymous. All the benefits and services that were needed for those with mental retardation are still needed for individuals diagnosed with intellectual disability. The name may have changed and hopefully society’s attitude toward people who are intellectually disabled has as well, but the needs of these individuals remain the same.