The Myth of Mental Retardation: Paradigm Shifts, Disaggregation, and Developmental Disabilities.

Smith, J. David

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Peer reviewed

ERIC Number: EJ643007

Record Type: Journal

Publication Date: 2002

Pages: N/A

Abstractor: N/A

ISBN: N/A

ISSN: ISSN-0047-6765

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The Myth of Mental Retardation: Paradigm Shifts, Disaggregation, and Developmental Disabilities.

Smith, J. David

Mental Retardation, v40 n1 p62-64 Feb 2002

This commentary discusses whether the American Association on Mental Retardation should change its name. It argues that the term "mental retardation" should become an historical artifact of the evolution of our thinking about children and adults with developmental disabilities. The plurality of the term "developmental disabilities" is stressed. (Contains references.) (CR)

Descriptors: Adults, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Children, Classification, Definitions, Developmental Disabilities, Identification, Labeling (of Persons), Mental Retardation, Organizational Change, Professional Associations, Social Bias, Social History, Vocabulary

Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers

Education Level: N/A

Audience: N/A

Language: English

Sponsor: N/A

Authoring Institution: N/A

Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A

Author Affiliations: N/A