tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327284465902187855.post64610599966226340..comments2023-10-31T10:02:52.446-04:00Comments on Upbeats and Downbeats: Soapbox: Mental Retardation...Slur, or Diagnosis?Gail Underwood Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10033172316686943177noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327284465902187855.post-73965322876595788092011-06-02T10:05:22.467-04:002011-06-02T10:05:22.467-04:00Thank you Gail for posting this! Because of the wa...Thank you Gail for posting this! Because of the way so many of us hear the term "mental retardation" it's easy to understand why it is not recognized as an actual diagnosis as opposed to a slur.<br /><br />To quote a Medscape Reference* article on Mental Retardation the diagnosis is defined as a person having at least two of the following criteria:<br /><br />"Significantly subaverage intellectual functioning - An intelligence quotient (IQ) of approximately 70 or below<br /><br />Concurrent deficits or impairments in adaptive functioning in at least 2 of the following areas: communication, self-care, home living, social/interpersonal skills, use of community resources, self-direction, functional academic skills, work, leisure, health, and safety<br /><br />Onset before age 18 years"<br /><br />The article goes on to list some of the known causes. Perhaps if more people are brave enough to speak on the issue we can stop referring, as you suggest, to mental retardation in whispers.<br /><br />*http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/289117-overviewMarlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11529981894082620909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327284465902187855.post-79592172307493028012011-06-01T11:23:20.692-04:002011-06-01T11:23:20.692-04:00Thank you Mer. I understand what you mean by wanti...Thank you Mer. I understand what you mean by wanting answers and the dilemma whether to give them. I always teach my kiddos that just because someone asks something does not require you to answer. Having said that, one of my kiddos is able to and has become comfortable explaining that: "When I was born the cord got wrapped around my neck. I was lucky that the doctors helped me breathe again, but unlucky because while they were doing that my brain didn't get enough air to help it grow all the way. I have a really hard time learning stuff, but other than that I'm just like you." <br />Not all kids can do that, nor should they necessarily. Thanks for posting and for visiting!<br />GailGail Underwood Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10033172316686943177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327284465902187855.post-323499609351088622011-06-01T10:53:24.487-04:002011-06-01T10:53:24.487-04:00I understand why people are upset.
I understand w...I understand why people are upset. <br />I understand why you say it. <br /><br />I think people feel mental retardation in and of itself is not a diagnosis. I think (because I am guessing) that people feel there is a deeper cause for mental retardation. As in, they want specifics. Like Autism or Epilepsy. They want to understand and throwing MR over it makes them not understand because you are not answering their question. To me it is none of their business. We as a society think we are so entitled to know everything about everyone else. <br />Anyway, sometimes change is good. After all, kids were not able to embrace these things or get the services that are available now 20 years ago. <br />I agree it is the difference between using as a slur and using as something that the doctor has said - but saying that, I also don't agree with all doctors lolMer (Lulu's Mommy)https://www.blogger.com/profile/09965609077417632731noreply@blogger.com