mentally retarded

mentally/intellectually/developmentally disabled; person with mental disability/impairment; someone with developmental/cognitive delays. When possible and relevant, specify the disability. The once common terms "mentally retarded," "retard," and "mental retardation" are now considered outdated and offensive. In 2010, President Barack Obama signed a measure that replaced the term mental retardation with intellectual disability in many areas of government, including federal law. In the past few years, a number of states have removed "mentally retarded" from state laws. Mental illness and intellectual disability are separate conditions; one does not imply the other. Labels such as feebleminded, idiot, imbecile, mental defective, mentally deficient, moron, cretin, and retard are highly offensive, stigmatizing, and inaccurate when used of anyone with a disability. They are also offensive, damaging, and inexcusable when used as slurs for other people because they link extreme negativity with disabilities. See also disabilities, handicapped, idiot/idiocy, people-first language.