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.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
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.
And as a parent of a child who was diagnosed as such when she was 3, I do use it. When used to describe a person's cognitive function and not as a slang "That's so retarded!" I do not take offense.
Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.
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.
As a mom of a special needs child, I do not like the word retarded. Seriously, it makes my stomach hurt.
I use cognitively impaired because that implies there is something wrong with my child, but it doesn't close the door on what abilities she has. The word retarded does just that. It closes the door to what she is capable of. Sort of washing your hands of the person and not delving deeper into the impairment. People think if someone is retarded they are less than human.
This probably does not make one lick of sense to anyone and unless you have a special needs person in your life, you wouldn't understand.
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.
We are on the DSM-V now. It is true that the DSM-IV listed "mental retardation" as does ICD-9 and it was only with DSM-V that it was changed. I have less of a problem with people using "MR", "mentally retarded", etc to describe someone diagnosed as such than I do with someone saying "I'm such a retard" or "that movie was so retarded."
It's an older term, but I have less problem with it being used to describe people who have intellectual/mental disabilities as opposed to being colloquially used as a derogatory term. It *was* the "correct" term for a very long time and can still be found in some paperwork involving people with disabilities. Since you say she's older, I'm guessing she simply hasn't updated her terminology. It might not go amiss to take her aside and quietly let her know that there are more up-to-date terms she could use, as some people are more sensitive than others and could be offended (the term my employer uses is "developmentally disabled") but it's not a slur in the context she's using it in.
"Cognitive issues that have been present since birth" or some other description. "Patient has cognitive challenges that are being addressed by ______ due to her/his diagnosis of _____________"
I think "retarded" is a horrible word, as the use of it over the years have made it so. Like a lot of words that start out as legit, but end up being the butt of jokes and put downs.
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
And that's the thing. it is MENTALLY retarded. There can growth retardation. When "retarded" is used by itself, that is where it becomes trouble.
Intellectually disabled or cognitively impaired are stupid vague terms that nobody would understand.
I assume most people here on this site have a minimum of a 2 year degree and you calling these "stupid" or "vague" is scary to me. They are anything but. They are descriptive, accurate and relevant. Using a word that can be construed as negative or demeaning is better? Those phrases are used enough that most people know what they mean. On this site, we ALL should know what they mean and we have the ability to educate. Like another poster said, if you don't have a child (or a cousin or niece/nephew or a friend's child) that has to deal with having that term used by ignorant people, you don't get it.
Interesting how one person's accurate, clinical and appropriate use of a word can upset some, and not others. And replacing the clinical term with an equally appropriate word or phrase (but is more PC) disturbs others.
I have a special needs child. He is not mentally retarded, but I think it's reasonable to say he has cognitive impairment. He is autistic. Or does he "have Autism"? There is another whole discussion that has people divided over even that: does one "have" the disorder ('he has Autism') or is he representative of it ('he is autistic'). Loaded question, depending on who you ask!
Now, if someone were to refer to my child as "cognitively impaired", they might be technically correct (at least in his case). But it would not be an accurate portrayal based on the assumption that it would raise in the person hearing it. He does not have mental retardation, but does have processing impairments.
No one person represents a whole community of "special needs parents". One person finds offense in a word that another one does not. Not having a special needs child does not exempt one from the ability to understand what someone who does goes through, nor does having one entitle one to believe they speak for all the rest. Regarding the 'outsiders'.....do they 'get' every little thing in our lives, our scheduling contortions, etc? Probably not. But I think I've found many who DO 'get' what we go through, because they are people close enough to us to SEE what it is that is different....and what it is that is the same. Oh, sure, there are those who are clueless, speak without thinking....there's nothing you can do about them. But those who have a care and concern about what is 'right'? I'll have an open discussion with them ANY day! Education is a good thing :)
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Great post, RNsRWe! I find "mentally retarded" to be clinically descriptive, and when used to describe cognitive function, I do not find it at all offensive. However, if another parent finds it that way, and I am aware of that, I won't intentionally use is. But it just goes to show that no, "mentally retarded" is not a universal no-no word.
I do find it interesting that the term "IUGR" which is an obstetrical term that used to be called "intra-uterine growth retardation" is now called "intra-uterine growth restriction." Of course, nomenclature changes all the time. We no longer call it PIH/pregnancy-induced hypertension, either.
Which many children with special needs are, now that could be mentally or physically delayed.
Agree with RNsWE that not one person represents special needs as to what the correct terminology is.
I myself have gotten flack for not being PC regarding my son when I have said "he's autistic"
I was corrected and "has autism" meaning the autism isn't who he is. He is a person 1st then autism.
Blah
He is who he is autism and all, it describes part of his personality.
There are people within the autism community who will go down fighting for the correct term.
Personally I will fight to have my son understood no matter what term is used.
The motive behind stopping using the word retarded even if used in the correct context, is the fact that people use it as "that's so retarded" or "look at the retard"
Those phrases are used in our culture and those same people the ones who saw " that's so retarded" if they were to hear professionals use the term retarded, would think that it okay to use the word as they do, because hey it's not a bad word right? The doctor, nurse, therapist used it, it's not that bad?...right!
Perhaps in your instructor eval you could mention newer terms to use
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
The motive behind stopping using the word retarded even if used in the correct context, is the fact that people use it as "that's so retarded" or "look at the retard"
Do you think we should we stop using "gay" to describe homosexual, since it's been misappropriated?
I myself have gotten flack for not being PC regarding my son when I have said "he's autistic"
I was corrected and "has autism" meaning the autism isn't who he is. He is a person 1st then autism.
Blah
He is who he is autism and all, it describes part of his personality.
Exactly! To be honest, if I say "he has autism" it kinda sounds like he caught a disease. No....he IS autistic, it's one of the MANY descriptors I use for this child :)
Do we say someone 'has deafness"? No.....he is deaf. Does someone "have blindness"? No....he is blind.
I guess I like to keep things from being overly crazy, there's enough crazy surrounding our kids as it is!!
klone, MSN, RN
14,857 Posts
And as a parent of a child who was diagnosed as such when she was 3, I do use it. When used to describe a person's cognitive function and not as a slang "That's so retarded!" I do not take offense.