Definition

1. Noun:
   • A condition characterized by significantly below-average general intellectual functioning and deficits in adaptive behavior: "mental retardation" refers to a developmental disability where cognitive abilities and everyday life skills are substantially limited compared to typical development. This term is now considered outdated and often offensive in many professional and social contexts.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The older medical textbook used the term "mental retardation" to describe a range of cognitive disabilities.
  • Diagnoses of mental retardation were based on standardized intelligence tests and assessments of adaptive functioning.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Clinical Context: The term was formerly a formal diagnostic category in medicine and psychology. Its use today is largely confined to discussing historical contexts, specific legal documents, or outdated literature.
  • The law, written decades ago, still contains the phrase "persons with mental retardation."

Variants and Related Words

• Intellectual Disability (ID) (n): The contemporary and preferred term for the condition previously referred to as mental retardation. It emphasizes limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior.

  • Support services for individuals with an intellectual disability have improved significantly.

• Developmental Disability (DD) (n): A broader category of severe, chronic disabilities attributable to mental and/or physical impairments manifesting before age 22.

  • Autism and cerebral palsy are also considered developmental disabilities.

Synonyms

• Cognitive disability: A general term for impaired mental or intellectual function.
• Learning disability (Note: This is distinct in modern usage): In current professional terminology, this typically refers to specific challenges in academic skills (e.g., dyslexia) and is not a synonym for intellectual disability.

Important Note on Usage

• The term "mental retardation" is considered pejorative and stigmatizing in contemporary language. It is strongly recommended to use "intellectual disability" or "person with an intellectual disability" (people-first language) in all professional, educational, and respectful discourse. The continued use of the outdated term can be hurtful and perpetuate negative stereotypes.

Noun

1. lack of normal development of intellectual capacities