What Does Retarded Mean?

The term “retarded,” or its acronym “RD” for “retardation,” is one of the most emotionally charged and misunderstood words in the English language, and it can often be used in a derogatory manner. Let’s take a look at what exactly it means, what kind of medical label it has, and how it can impact those with and without disabilities.

The Medical Label of Retardation

The medical label of retardation was once used to refer to a wide range of developmental disabilities, and it was a definition based largely on a person’s intellectual or cognitive abilities. However, over time the use of this term has become frowned upon, and it is now seen as an outdated and potentially offensive language.

In the medical field, retardation is now generally used to refer to intellectual disability, which is basically a limited ability to understand and process information. These disabilities range in severity and can be caused by a variety of physical, psychological, and social factors, including genetic or prenatal conditions, or even a traumatic brain injury.

What It Really Means

Just because retardation has a medical label, doesn’t mean that it has to be seen as an offensive term. In fact, many individuals with developmental disabilities don’t like to be labeled as such, and prefer terms like “mentally challenged” or “intellectually disabled” instead.

Retardation doesn’t have to be an offensive word, and one of the best ways to prevent it from being used in disrespectful or insensitive ways is to focus on the inner strengths and capabilities of those with disabilities instead. It’s more than a word, it’s a way of life, and our society needs to learn to understand and appreciate the diversity of those around us.

Conclusion

The term “retarded” carries with it a lot of weight and potential offense, and so it is important to understand both the medical label of retardation and the way it is used in general conversation. In the medical community, it generally refers to intellectual disability or cognitive disabilities, and outside of the medical world it should be used with respect and understanding. We should focus on celebrating the strengths and abilities of those with disabilities rather than using hurtful language, and strive to eliminate the stigma and misunderstanding associated with the word “retarded.”