i work with children with developmental delays and the dr's still use this term.
I FEEL THERE IS NO NEED TOUSE THIS VERY DATED TERM but it is still being used. I always repeat what they say to me put put in "a child with a developmental delay" where they have used R CHILD. CHILD FIRST DISABILITY SECOND!!!
I am so sorry people use this it is a horrible term.
I am an advate for children and try to educate people as much as possible..
.but when it comes to dr's it is acceptable??
NOTE: IN SAYING IT IS STILL AN ACCEPTABLE MEDICAL TERM, I AM NOT SAYING THAT I ADVOCATE USING THE TERM.
I will say though that the term itself did not start out as a derogatory term; it became a derogatory term when people started using it as an insult.
The same thing happens when the word "Spaz" or "Spastic" is also used in a derogatory way to mean clumsy or hyperactive. People with spasticity were assumed to have a develpmental disability, so it also comes to mean stupidity when used as an insult. Even though people may use it in a negative way, it continues to also have the original medical meaning, which is stiff and jerky movement due to increased muscle tone.
Mental Retardation does continue to be used in the medical field because it is still listed in the DRG (Diagnosis Related Group) as a valid diagnosis.
As a diagnosis with a specific definition (which has to do with level of achievement on IQ testing and limitations in performance of daily living), it does fit the condition some people have and it is used a part of the coding for payment. If the correct code is not used, the correct payment is not made. As the article mentioned, the diagnosis code will probably be changed in the future; the DRG will remain, but with a different name.
I think in the past, the IQ was really considered the 'limit' of what someone was capable of achieving. Now, it is looked at more as the 'limit' of what the person administering the test is capable of measuring. And, there is much more understanding that some conditions (like being non-verbal or being on the autism spectrum) may limit how the person is able to be tested and the score, rather than actually being a measure of their intelligence.
I would not consider a medical person to be outdated, uncaring or uninformed if they use it as a diagnosis because it is still a recognized diagnosis, just like spasticity. In that situation, it has a specific definition (although it still should be used in a 'person first' way). Some doctors/professionals have incorrectly used the term outside of that specific definition and there are conditions that are included in that diagnosis that now also have a more specific definition (like autism).
Developmental Disability is a more general 'umbrella term' that includes many different diagnoses; like autism, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome. Someone with a diagnosis of one of those conditions
may also have a
functional diagnosis of Mental Retardation (under the current name for the functional diagnosis).
The term is also still in some state laws as a diagnosis that is needed to qualify for some services. Until those laws change, the diagnosis has to remain, although many places as pairing it with something else, like "person with an intellectual disability" or "person with a developmental disability".
Ironically, when mental retardation began to be used as an term, it was the replace the terms idiot, imbecile and moron, which were considered to be offensive. Many organizations (like ARC) took the new term as part of their name.
The changing of terms is fairly recent:
It was not until 1992 that the ARC changed its name from the Association for Retarded Citizens and the term 'mental retardation' was not removed from ARC's mission statement until 2005.
In many areas QMRP (Qualified Mental Retardation Professionals) are the Case Managers for Care of people with Developmental Disabilities. Some states,
like Illinois in this recent (6/15/09) article, are changing the name, but this is a recent development in most places. The article has a good explanation about why the term continues to be used and sort of the controversy surrounding it:
QUOTE FROM ARTICLE:
Although "mental retardation" remains a recognized diagnostic term, its use has taken on many negative connotations. The term is now viewed by many self-advocates and disability professionals as disrespectful and derogatory. In recent years, the Division of Developmental Disabilities has made efforts to replace the label "mental retardation" with more general "developmental disability" terminology. However, the continued use of "Qualified Mental Retardation Professional" or "QMRP" has remained, at least partially, because of the prevalent use of that language within the federal Medicaid requirements.
The Division of Developmental Disabilities will begin the process to replace the use of "QMRP" with "Qualified Support Professional" or "QSP" in all of its rules, regulations, training materials and other oral and written communications. It is the Division's belief that this new terminology is more respectful to persons with intellectual disabilities and better encompasses the expanding role of professionals serving persons with developmental disabilities in Illinois. Provider agencies and others are encouraged to begin implementation of similar terminology changes.
Until such time that the language conversion is fully completed, "QSP" and "QMRP" will be considered comparable terms. Additionally, it is understood that materials from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will continue to refer to QMRPs until such time that replacement language is adopted by that entity. END QUOTE
Special Olympics currently has a campaign to eliminate the "R" word. Maybe you could just PM the person and politely explain how offensive that term can be. I'm sure they are not meaning to offend.
The Special Olympics Campaign is really great. They are trying to educate people on why the word should not be used and how hurtful it can be. Trying to get people to think about what they say is what will prevent the next 'r' word from starting.
Also important is complaining when people are using the 'r' word for comedy. I have turned off Saturday Night Live and other TV shows and made complaints when they use the 'r' word for comedy. That is not acceptable to do, but it's the only way many young people have ever heard the word used. I was surprised when I did a google search and found over 20 MILLION hits for just one form of the word (a form that is used very derogatorily). There are only 5.5 million hits for the form of the term that is used for medical purposes.
That's the huge problem that I think the Special Olympics campaign is aimed at.
I am going to move this thread to the disABILITIES Community Board, which is more about general subjects.
And, in case anyone thinks I am a professional 'defending' a term that I like, I am a parent of a child with developmental disabilities. I cried with the thought that the 'r' word could ever be applied to her. She can't talk and can't respond well to testing. She just refuses to co-operate with testing, so even if tests existed for individuals who are non-verbal and can't always accurately point, she would still not be testable. Luckily, we have had caring individuals who have worked with her as a thinking, caring person with feelings, not just a diagnosis (as well as some who always used 'people first' language who were not caring and saw her as a
person with
Developmental Disabilities).
