BY JANET VANHECK

NOVEMBER 2010

The Change of the Term ‘Mental Retardation’ to ‘Intellectual

Disability’

Current Status

‘Intellectual Disability’ now covers the same population of individuals who were previously diagnosed with ‘mental retardation.’

Considerable and intense discussion in the field.Current classification system was developed in 2002

by an international committee.

5 Trends in the Field of ID

Ecological perspectives that bases the definition of ID on a multidimensional model.

Disablement as a limitation in function.Multidimensionality of intellectual disabilities.Linking assessment to intervention.The importance of clinical judgment.

Construct of Intellectual Disability

ID is viewed within the overall context of disability.The construct of intellectual disability belongs within

the general construct of disability.ID is no longer considered an absolute trait of the

person.

Terminology

When those with disability have objected to the terms, such terms have to be discarded.

Becomes important to protect this new term from taking on the stigma of earlier expressions.

The term should support self-advocacy and political correctness.

The term will likely have a wider acceptance internationally.

The Definition

“Intellectual disability is characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. This disability originates before age 18.”

A definition can make someone eligible, exempted, included, or entitled.

Human Functioning: 5 Dimensions

Intellectual abilities – general mental capability. Adaptive behavior – skills that people learn to

function in their everyday lives.Health – WHO defines it as a state of complete

physical, mental, and social well being.Participation – the functioning of the individual in

society.Context – environmental factors make up the

physical and social environment in which people live.

Historical: Negative Construction

Many terms to describe persons with ID: mental deficiency, mental subnormality, imbecile, idiot, feeble-minded.

Exclusion of people with intellectual disabilities is inherent in Western culture.

To have mental retardation was to be defective.Inferior mental performance characterized by

mental slowness or retardation.

Historical Overview

The term mental retardation can be traced to the early 20th century.

The word retard refers to slowness. Mental retardation is mental slowness.

Intellectual disability is quite different from mental retardation.

ID is the fit between the person’s capacity and the context in which he or she functions.

ID refers to a state of functioning, not a condition.

Historical Reconstruction

During the last half of the 20th century, it was clear that the concept was changing.

A new way of thinking about disability emerged.Focus on functional limitations, personal well-being,

individual supports, and personal competence and adaptations.

Historical Approaches

Social approach – people with ID did not adapt socially to their environment.

Clinical approach – a medical view that included heredity and pathology.

Intellectual approach – intelligence tests and IQ scores.

Dual-criterion approach – impairments in maturation, learning, and social adjustment.

Legal Requirements

Laws provide funding for families with a child with ID or for adults with the disability.

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Right Act

Social Security Disability Insurance Program Supplemental Security Income Program Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant

Policy and Practice

Functional limitations – how persons with ID are limited in their capacity to function.

Personal well-being – policy evaluation should focus on increased independence, productivity, and community integration.

Individualized supports – eligibility, classification & funding should be based on the supports needed for each person.

Personal competence – shift from a personal trait to a functional limitation that can be eliminated.

Recommendations

Protecting the new term – based on disability literature.

The future of the field of ID – promote a better understanding.

Future research – causes; relation to disability.

Predictions

Future research will help us better understand ID and its relationship to disability.

The future depends on members of society and how they interact with people with disabilities.

We will try to better understand the nature of intelligence, adaptive behavior, and disablement.

The 2002 definition of ID will continue to be advanced by the American Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.