What’s Wrong with the “R-word”?

The word “retard” (accent on the second syllable) is a verb. It has been in use for at least six centuries to mean to delay, hold back or slow up something. It applies to things like accomplishments, developments or progress.

As with other verbs such as accept, damage, and embarrass, the verb “retard” can become the root word of adjectives by adding -ed (e.g., accepted, damaged, embarrassed, retarded). Verbs can be made into nouns by adding –(t)ion or -ation (e.g., dehumanization, exclusion, marginalization, retardation). Some verbs can also be used as nouns (e.g., bully, damage, respect).

In the early 1900s, intelligence testing was created in order to categorize individuals who might have cognitive developmental delays. “Mental retardation” began to be used as a medical diagnostic term for individuals with lower IQs at about the same time. The wording meant that these people had a slowed mental development.

Then “retard” (accent on the first syllable) became a pejorative noun and “retarded” an insulting adjective. Research in 2010 showed that 92% of youth ages 8-18 years had heard the word “retard” used as a put-down. Other research then showed that about half of YouTube videos used that term negatively.

Why is the pejorative use of “retard” or “retarded” to describe someone a problem? This harsh, harmful slur insults, demeans, and excludes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is a form of harassment that reinforces negative stereotypes, encourages bullying and exclusion, and damages self-esteem. It is an ableist slur.

What terms are preferred? Replace the pejorative use of the words “retard” and “retarded” with more respectful words. To describe an individual, person-first language focuses on the person, not the disability. Say “person with an intellectual disability” or “person with a developmental disability.” The acronym IDD is used to indicate “intellectual and developmental disability.”

Instead of saying an activity, object, or person is “retarded,” use words such as absurd, mistaken, ridiculous, or worthless. Those adjectives are more descriptive and exact, and far less insulting.

“Rosa’s Law” was passed in 2010 to remove these insulting words from US federal health, labor, and education policy. It required changing references to “mental retardation” to a new designation as “intellectual disability” or “intellectual disabilities.” This legislation respects the dignity and right to inclusion of persons with IDD.

What can you do to promote elimination of this derogatory term? Spread the Word to End the Word is a Special Olympics and Best Buddies effort to raise awareness of the impact of the “R-word” on people with intellectual disabilities. Their website offers several suggestions about how to counteract this slur, stop bullying, and promote inclusion.

To learn more about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, please visit the Healthinfo Island poster set titled March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month at the following SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/188/181/24