Opinion on using the word "retarded"?

[abbypoo]

Hello! I took Introduction to Nursing last semester at my college. My teacher was an older women who still worked as a nurse at a local hospital. She also teaches other classes at our school. During a lecture one day, she continually used the word "retarded" to describe cognitively impaired people. It took me by surprise because I thought "intellectually disabled" and "cognitively impaired" were the appropriate terms to describe someone who is mentally retarded.

I want to make it clear that she was not saying anything negative about intellectually disabled people. But it did make me concerned that other people around me might have children or siblings who have this and it might hurt their feelings.

Is it normal for people in the health care profession to continue to use the word "retarded?" Keep in mind my teacher was older but she is still active as a nurse. Not a post bashing my teacher or people who use the word "retarded." I am just genuinely curious on the usage of this word in modern times.

[caliotter3]

Apparently she is doing this out of habit, not out of maliciousness such as might be the case with the general public. In general, I would give her the benefit of the doubt, hoping that she does not do this outside of the classroom setting. If your school has the students do instructor evaluations at the end of the term, you might want to bring this up in your anonymous evaluation. Or, if you feel comfortable, a talk in private might help make her aware.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

This is a very good paper that, in part, summarizes the centuries-old history of the words used to describe such people clinically, not just colloquially. The short answer is that every now and then this attitude surfaces about whatever term is current. Then a new one (or a new euphemism) is developed and promulgated, and then it too falls out of favor...lather, rinse, repeat ... Your instructor has just decided to get off the bus, but the bus keeps going.

The Uses and Implications of the Term “Retarded” on YouTube | Julia Wilkins - Academia.edu

[abbypoo]

This is a very good paper that, in part, summarizes the centuries-old history of the words used to describe such people clinically, not just colloquially. The short answer is that every now and then this attitude surfaces about whatever term is current. Then a new one (or a new euphemism) is developed and promulgated, and then it too falls out of favor...lather, rinse, repeat ... Your instructor has just decided to get off the bus, but the bus keeps going.

The Uses and Implications of the Term “Retarded” on YouTube | Julia Wilkins - Academia.edu

I skimmed through the article and thought it was interesting. Cognitively and intellectually impaired are going to be seen as offensive somewhere down the line too. Thank you!

[caliotter3]

Whenever I see the word "impaired", it makes me think of someone that is stumbling drunk.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I skimmed through the article and thought it was interesting. Cognitively and intellectually impaired are going to be seen as offensive somewhere down the line too. Thank you!

"Intellectually disabled" is going away now, because the disAbility movement considers (rightly, perhaps) that "ability" is something everybody has, and nobody should be called "disabled." "Differently abled" was acceptable, last I looked. But ... well, the bus keeps on going.

[mhy12784]

Intellectually disabled or cognitively impaired are stupid vague terms that nobody would understand.

If you told me someone was "intellectually disabled" I might think that's a polite way of saying they're an idiot. "Cognitively impaired" and im thinking this person has dementia or alzheimers or something like that.

If someone is using the word retarded, to describe someone that is actually retarded. Than I have absolutely no issue with it whatsoever. Its simple, straight forward, and accurate. And everybody will understand it. Using some stupid politically correctness crap that nobody uses or would confuse people in the real world is just stupid, and has no business. It stifles communication, and increases the risk for error and decreases the quality of care.

If someone wants to complain about the word retarded being used inappropriately (ie OMG youre retarded) thats fine and dandy. But there's nothing wrong with using it when it is actually the correct word.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

"Idiot" used to be a clinically-defined word with a specific meaning, along with "moron" and others, on a continuum. That's gone too. That's the point. Check the article.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Intellectually disabled or cognitively impaired are stupid vague terms that nobody would understand.

If you told me someone was "intellectually disabled" I might think that's a polite way of saying they're an idiot. "Cognitively impaired" and im thinking this person has dementia or alzheimers or something like that.

If someone is using the word retarded, to describe someone that is actually retarded. Than I have absolutely no issue with it whatsoever. Its simple, straight forward, and accurate. And everybody will understand it. Using some stupid politically correctness crap that nobody uses or would confuse people in the real world is just stupid, and has no business. It stifles communication, and increases the risk for error and decreases the quality of care.

If someone wants to complain about the word retarded being used inappropriately (ie OMG youre retarded) thats fine and dandy. But there's nothing wrong with using it when it is actually the correct word.

Made me laugh, and I really needed it just then!

I was thinking that there's nothing wrong with saying someone's mental growth has been retarded (if, in fact, it has). We refer to retarded growth when referring to a person who has ceased to grow beyond a certain physical size (thinking hormonal impacts, not dwarfism); the WORD has a distinct meaning. "Retarded", as in slowed down, or stopping development.

Now, using it nastily, as an indictment of some sort, that's a different story, and nothing anyone should accept as ordinary and expected.

Someone says "cognitively impaired" and I'm going to think dementia, not mental retardation. Someone says "intellectually disabled" and I'm going to think, too, it's a coy way of saying someone is stupid.

I, too, thought of the 'idiot' reference as something I learned in psych about a hundred years ago: the scaled definitions of 'idiot' and 'moron', and how it was clinically appropriate to use them WHEN clinically appropriate. But.....as GrnTea said....the bus keeps on going!

[toomuchbaloney]

I hate you.

Now I am humming "The Wheels on the Bus Go 'Round and 'Round"

Did I mention that I hate you?

[mhy12784]

"Idiot" used to be a clinically-defined word with a specific meaning, along with "moron" and others, on a continuum. That's gone too. That's the point. Check the article.

The article was by teachers, about youtube videos.

And all I got as the take away (I briefly skimmed it) was that attitudes and treatment of "cognitively impaired" people was far more important than what the word of the day that we use to describe them is.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

I believe that "mentally retarded" is still used in the DSM-IV but it has taken on a very negative connotation. Used clinically, I think is different, but as a parent with 2 children with special needs AND a former teacher-that is a loaded word and I, personally, would choose to use a different word even if it is clinically appropriate.