People First Language: The “R” Word |
| Published: June 27, 2008, 11:06 am |
| Tags: about me, development, down syndrome, education, facts, international mosaic down syndrome association, misconceptions, parenting, social skills, mosaic down syndrome |
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While on the subject of Pet Peeves another one of mine is using the “R” word. According the the American Heritage Dictionary the definition for Retarded is: Often Offensive Affected with mental retardation. Occurring or developing later than desired or expected; delayed. Mental Retardation is: Subnormal intellectual development as a result of congenital causes, brain injury, or disease and characterized by any of various cognitive deficiencies, including impaired learning, social, and vocational ability. Also called mental deficiency . It is understood that a person with Down syndrome and mosaic Down syndrome can have a degree of mental retardation. However, this word has become, as the American Heritage Dictionary pointed out, an Offensive Word. Instead of using the word to refer to cognitive deficiencies this word became a word to offend someone or indicate that they had subnormal intelligence when they did not. Such as, “You are a [ Full article ] |
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