Retardation versus Impairment

February 26, 2008

, I appreciate your post, but to clarify MY position, I am making no

effort to be " politically correct. " I often wonder what that term really means.

Usually, I hear political conservatives using that term to justify their

continued alliance to a position.

For example, how I refer to people of ethnic origin or different cultures,

may change according to what that group of people find acceptable, but that is

because I am being considerate and tolerate of others feelings. I would not

label myself as being " politically correct " but an aware person being

considerate. It isn't hard to do.

Now, saying that someone has cognitive impairments frankly should be very

clear to anyone of reasonable intelligence, but I would hope that doctors would

explain every label they give to any diagnosis of a child or adult.

's own latest post spoke about " impairments " not " retardation. " I think

that is progress in my opinion as we all become more aware and educated on

this subject.

Carolyn

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February 26, 2008

Isn't the issue one of hope? I know a lot of apraxic moms are

sensitive to the word autism because that diagnosis, to them, is #1,

the wrong for for their kid and #2, one that for no good reason, has

less hope attached. Ask the parents of autiststic children. There are

issues there as well...high functioning versus low functioning. Sad

because as long as they are functioning let's get them well. Reading

's posts over the last months I do think she has been trying to

point out that apraxic children, of which she has one and learned

that at a time when so little was known and done for these kids, are

very bright and often their lack of voice is a barrier to society at

large seeing that. I am thankful for her doing that because at a time

when no doctor or therapist knew what was up with my kid she helped

me narrow things down enough to ask better questions and between her

and I realized he was low tone (got that from via the

book) and had allergy and malabsorption stuff (got that from

's posts and lots of legwork at the doctors).

At this point we still don't have an appropriate label for my son and

he keeps changing so much no one cares, least of all me. Call him

Ethel if you like...go ahead...he will correct you VERBALLY!

My only objection to the use of the word retarded is the lack of hope

it can imply. With that said, I do not think , as an advocate for

so many children, beyond her own, was doing that.

There is always hope. So much hope. I never ever thought I would see

that. I do now and I sure do want it for all of us, regardless of

label.

Whateve

February 26, 2008

I have only looked at a few of these posts, but in the process of

becoming PC people often no longer understand the diagnosis. I am on

a school psychologist list and there are numerous occassions where a

parent has not known their child was mentally retarded (based on IQ)

because previous psychologists have tried to soften the blow by using

words that apparently did not convey the same meaning to the parent.

In the clinical world, mentally retarded has a very specific

meaning. If someone is trying to be politically correct while giving

a diagnosis, I hope they at least make sure the parent understands

the message.

February 26, 2008

--

I am not trying to stir up trouble here at all. Somehow the word retarded got

equated with

mentally retarded and those are not the same. That was my origional point and

we got onto a tangent about mental retardation.

I think that you have every right to feel the way you choose to feel. Since

the word has such a derogatory connnotation, I can see why your ears would raise

when he said that. I personally do not care for the word at all and all the

professionals I know use mentally challenged, mentally handicapped or atleast MR

, if it is applicable.

Since the doctor was not referring to the child's mental abilities, as far as

I understand it, it seems to me that he meant no harm.

I firmly believe that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent

what we choose about what happens to us.It just seems like alot of energy and

anger over a word that was actually used correctly and probably not intended to

offend or hurt your feelings in anyway. I guess I am just trying to say, in a

toned down manner, let it go. So he (or she) used the R word. Atleast he used

it correctly; it is a real word. I am sure the doctor gave no thought at all to

this little passing. He is probably just old school.

Let it roll off the back , forgive, do whatever it takes, consider it a

misjudgment on his or her part. You have bigger battles to fight.

Sharon

elmccann <elmccann@...> wrote: