The R-word, retard(ed), was used in the past to describe a person with an intellectual or developmental disability. Since then, it has morphed into a slang word to mean things like “stupid” or “idiotic.” Many people think it is socially acceptable to use the r-word in this way but the truth is, it hurts and dehumanizes those with an intellectual disability and their family and friends. The Spread the Word to End the Word movement was created to end the pejorative use of the R-word and promote dignity and respect for people with intellectual disabilities. Join the movement by pledging to end the r-word at r-word.org and vote this definition to the top.

A mental disability most common in white males. Autistics/aspergers tend to have higher than average IQs but have difficulty learning simple tasks and social cues intuitively and need to read an "instruction manual" for just about everything. As a result they become obsessed with minor details but miss the big picture - similar to people with obsessive compulsive disorder - and tend to get labeled as nerds, weirdos or retards and suffer social rejection.

Example:

An autistic guy wants to ask his secret crush to his high school prom. But instead of just asking her, he reads 600 pages worth of Sigmund Freud a week in advance in order to understand the female mind so he'll know "the correct way" to ask her to the prom.

When he finally asks her, he quotes a paragraph long "pickup line" that he memorized word for word in advance full of Freudian terms that she doesn't even understand. She she tells him she has no clue what he just said and he becomes offended and explains to her that he memorized 600 pages worth of Freud and explains to her why his pickup line was "the correct way to ask a girl out". She then assumes he's some kind of perver...

A non-profit Lutheran based agency that serves children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Mosaic Dallas provides ICF amd Home and Community Based Services in Dallas, Denton and Rockwall counties.

is a generalized, triarchic disorder, characterized by subaverage cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors with onset before the age of 18. Once focused almost entirely on cognition, the definition now includes both a component relating to mental functioning and one relating to the individual's functional skills in their environment.

The term "mental retardation" is a diagnostic term designed to capture and standardize a group of disconnected categories of mental functioning such as "idiot", "imbecile", and "moron" derived from early IQ tests, which acquired pejorative connotations in popular discourse over time. The term "mental retardation" has itself now acquired some pejorative and shameful connotations over the last few decades due to the use of "retarded" as an insult among younger people. This may in turn have contributed to its replacement with expressions such as "mentally challenged" or "intellectual disability".

A person (usually within the family environment) who maintains personal assistance to another who may suffer from, but is not limited to: a physical disability, mental illness, intellectual disability, or drug and/or alcohol dependency. There are no boundaries to the notion of 'caring' in this context as a large number of 'Carers' can be found throughout the globe in many different environments. Caring roles are often demanding and some services exist primarily for Carers, allowing them to 'have a break'. Support for Carers appears to be on the increase however a particular difficulty in the Human Service sector is reaching out to people who are 'unidentified carers'- those who maintain a caring role however are not aware that there is appropriate support available.

Social misfit incapable of meaningful interaction with other members of the same species. Mostly males with no physical skills, limited intellectual ability and lacking any tact or empathy.

1.) A derogatory term used to describe the way people with developmental disabilities talk, think, and feel.

2.) An offensive term used for people with severe to high functioning developmental disabilities who have limited (verbal) communication (mainly for people with autism).

3.) Term used for people who aren't very bright nor articulate.

4.) Comments for people who talk or act emotionally like children.

5.) A secondary term for calling people retards.

6.) Describing someone who is illiterate.

7.) Describing someone who's use of saying words is very simple.

8.) Whining and / acting like a child.

9.) Acting childish.

10.) Term used for people who struggle with language and verbal communication.