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Insulting People With Intellectual Disabilities - Page 2

Some people have that relationship with their kids. I'm pretty sure he knows how to handle his kids. He calls them an idiot because they did something stupid- I think it's better than sitting the kid down and babying them. If you get into your first car accident with another vehicle, the cop isn't going to sit you down and explain what you did wrong, then let you off and hopefully you don't do it again. He's going to give you a ticket, probably with a hefty fine attached, in addition to insurance rates in creasing, basically a slap to the face saying, "You did something stupid."

In my eyes it's all political correctness. If someone's doing something stupid, you say," Hey you're being stupid. Stop." So if I had a child that was retarded would I be upset if someone called my child retarded? Well to be honest probably (so you're right there ebbs). But in truth- my child would be retarded. But me being the parent would feel upset at such a word being used, so I would make people use less truthful words such as mentally disabled, or slow. In effect just being less straight forward. I think it all comes down to how blunt people are. The more truthful people are the more hurt people get because people speak the truth about them, so they throw a fit, and other people side with them saying it's not nice and you get people to stop telling the truth, or toning it down.... Being politically correct often times.

I'm not targeting this at you ebbs. I just don't like political correctness. No one wants to hear that they are stupid, but sometimes they should (I'm not talking about mentally disabled people here- talking about regular people). And I suppose I'll not use the word retarded anymore to describe mentally disabled people. So does that mean if a parent of a mentally disabled child is in a store and a couple teenagers are messing around and one calls the other retarded, the parent will get upset and say something to them?

I think it just all depends on personal preference in terms of terminology used to describe people and their actions. I hope you weren't offended by anything in this post. If you were say so and I'll edit it out....

Disabilities Intellectual People Insulting

Our son is hyper verbal and has an unquenchable desire to talk about anything and everything regardless of his knowledge of the topic. This usually results in him speaking out of turn, speaking about something he does not know anything about but he pretends he does and speaking about "apples" while everyone else is discussing "oranges". This results in people looking at him in an odd manner. It also causes the children in Primary to laugh at him. You would think they would know better but no one is spared. The most unfortunate thing of all is that my son does not realize they are laughing at him because of his intellectual disabilities so he laughs along with them.

Insulting People With Intellectual Disabilities Health & Special Psychology

I believe in being polite myself. I dislike the term retarded, and I will usually cringe when people use it... It's disrespectful.

When I work with kids, if they're not being smart about something I'll tell them, You're being silly, I KNOW you can do better than that!

It's all about attitude and perception-- If you're calling someone stupid or retarded to make them feel bad, thats a good reason to be upset.
The same goes to harrassing people about their intellect. That's rude, and if you're one of my kids doing that, you are getting an earful after I reassure the other child.

When it comes to comedy, and standups, it doesn't bother me as much, because you could ask many people with intellectual disabilities if they think its funny... I feel many would be laughing at the antics! I often find they are better able to laugh at life and themselves better than most people!

After thinking about this... I really feel its everyone else that gets too caught up in being "proper" about issues.
Theres a difference between politically correct and respectful.
Respect at least allows humor to have its moment of glory.

Edited: FaeMoon on 1st Jun, 2010 - 11:12pm

Page 2 Disabilities Intellectual People Insulting

Name: Nope

Comments: There is nothing positive about calling someone a "retard". You can mean it as a joke or insult it is still negative. If you were to call someone "intellectually challenged" would it have the same effect? It would probably have more weight and stay with the person even longer even if they don't show it. Just because they laugh with you doesn't mean they accept being called that. Sometimes people are willing to put up with name calling for the sake of keeping a relationship. The fact is name calling where the inference is negative is abuse. You can try to dilute its effect but you are only fooling yourself.

Disabilities Intellectual People Insulting

Gah. New to forums. Regarldess
My preferred expression when describing a client, is that he or she is a bright child, they just take their time in processing the information. Which is true, in essence, that they take it in at a different rate. When expressing a client in a proffessional setting, I will usually have a diagnosis to use.

All the same, I`ve worked with kids in all ranges of disability, whether it be downs syndrome, autism or even dyslexia.
Each one is as sweet and bright as the next child, and I tell them so. I believe in them.
I`m not fooling myself when I love those kids, and celebrate each success.

Edited: FaeMoon on 2nd Jun, 2010 - 12:03am

Insulting People With Intellectual Disabilities

Hmmm I am not sure if I agree with that. People with disabilities are making (for example) a big issue of the "R" word. They do not want to be called that period, I don't think it makes a difference to them whether someone is being serious or joking about it. The intent is present and it's hurtful. I don't think is funny, I don't think they think is funny and as a mom of three special needs kids surely I find it completely disrespectful and hurtful that comedy is used to laugh at the special needs of people.

Insulting People Intellectual Disabilities - Page 2

THere are always limits.

When it comes to the R word specifically... I can`t stand it. I don`t use it and if someone I know uses it, they generally get an earful.

My professors usually have 2 rants each a month about terminology (some of our textbooks use `Mental Retardation`as a legit term... And they are recent within a year).

I respect your role as a Mother though, and admire that. I`ve always been afraid of having children, because I don`t want them to inherit my mental illness. Takes strength and love. Kudos.

Insulting People Intellectual Disabilities Psychology Special & Health - Page 2

Yes, mental retardation still a quite common term in some countries but I think the way the word "retarded" is used is what bothers me the most.

Rather off topic, but...
This is my blog if you want to take a look at. In our case, my husband and I do not have (as far as we are aware of) any mental illnesses yet our three kids have special needs.

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