Hello Jean-Marc and other Tipsters,
As expressed, mental retardation is the diagnostic term specified in the DSM.
However, self-advocates and other organizations continue to push for "people-first" language and approaches which are inclusionary and avoid discrimination of the people so classified.
The AAMR (originally the American Association on Mental Retardation) has two journals: "Mental Retardation" and the "American Journal on Mental Retardation". I've seen recent discussion that the AAMR is discussing a potential name change but I don't think that they've reached any conclusions on this to date. In looking at their website (http://aamr.org/), it appears that they are defining themselves as simply the AAMR without using the original phrase on which the acronym was formed. Incidentally this approach has been used by other organizations serving people in this classification: namely The ARC (http://www.thearc.org/) and TASH (http://www.tash.org/).
Their mission statement (http://aamr.org/About_AAMR/mission_statement.shtml) states: AAMR promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In a recent jurisdictional study (2004, D.Blackman) of how the Canadian provinces deliver services to people in this classification, the following terms were utilized: developmental disabilities (Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland/Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario); mental disability (Manitoba); intellectual disabilities (Quebec, Saskatchewan); people with disabilities (i.e., no distinction between mental and physical) (New Brunswick, NorthWest Territories, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island); and special needs or learning disability (Yukon).
In a survey of the literature (copies are available to anyone who asks) on a variety of issues pertaining to people with this classification which I completed in late 2005, while the preference amongst people so classified and their advocacy organizations is not to be labelled, the terminology which is being used is showing a definite shift towards favoring the "disabilities" designation. Inclusion International which is the worldwide advocacy organization and, incidentally, one of the NGOs represented at the discussions for the Proposed UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability (see http://www.inclusion-international.org/en/news/38.html and http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/ahcwg.htm), uses the terminology "people with intellectual disabilities".
The proposed new human rights convention doesn't make any distinction amongst the types but uses the phrase, "people with disabilities" or the acronym, PWD, throughout most of their literature.
The phrase, developmental disabilities, was originally introduced in the US in the Education for All Handicapped Law and includes more disability groups than mental retardation. If memory serves me correctly, it didn't include the mild range of mental retardation unless other factors existed. Though this phrase is commonly used in human services organizations, it lacks specificity and clarity of definition. Also, it seems better suited for use in children's services than it does for adults.
In the United Kingdom, the preferred term has been "learning disabilities" but this is being challenged by self-advocates who prefer the phrase, "learning difficulties".
The primary issue that people with this classification have is that the terminology has excluded them from opportunities available to all other people who are not labelled. Their challenge is to convince the societies and communities around them to include them, to allow them to belong and participate to the best of their abilities and interests. They want to be known as people first and included in discussions and policy-making concerning their lives without discrimination, marginalization and social exclusion.
I hope this contributes to your course.
Duncan H. Blackman, M.A., Registered Psychologist (SK)
Consultant, Psychological Services
Saskatchewan Community Living Division
Valley View Centre
Box 1300
Moose Jaw, SK S6H 4R2
Canada
306-694-3041(work)
306-694-3003 (fax)
306-631-4500 (cell)
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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