A few days ago
faron_jns

Question for people that have worked with the mentally handicapped?

Would someone with mental retardation be offended by the way someone talks to them?Or by the tone of there voice?Would they be offended if someone called them a retard?

Top 9 Answers
A few days ago
stargirl

Favorite Answer

Sure they could be. You are talking about a wide range of cognitive ability when you say mentally handicapped. Someone who is profoundly MR may not pick up on a sarcastic or condescending tone but someone with mild MR may. However they may have been called a “retard” enough in their lives to know it’s mean. It’s really hard to say how it could make them feel as they may not have the ability to describe it. Irregardless it doesn’t make it ok to be a jerk
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A few days ago
Laura
The term “retard” is not the correct terminology for someone will an exceptionality. Regardless of the degree of disabilty, it is always proper to use the people first language. For example, a child with autism is NOT called an autistic child. You want to make sure you use the persons name or general term (student, child, etc.) and then the disability.

People with disabilites are incredible individuals that have feelings and in no way should be treated as second class citizens. There are so many great qualities within each person. Take the time to get to know each person and use their strengths and treat them the way you want to be treated. How would you feel if you were called a “retard”. It is demeaning and just cruel.

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A few days ago
Ariel H
Most of my students recognize the word “retard”. For the most part, the students have severe MR, but they are still hurt by the word. However, I don’t believe that my students pick up on tone of voice. I don’t know if that’s because they can’t pick up on it or if they are so used to people talking in a condescending way that they think it’s normal. I think it’s still unkind to belittle anyone. It is truly sad if people try to offend others with limitations (who already have such a hard time in life.)
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A few days ago
Jeffrey W
Part of it depends on the level of retardation, but the people with more severe retardation usually are far enough behind in mental age that they aren’t even sure what other people mean when they say something. Now if they have down syndrome possibly.
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A few days ago
lynn o
People with mental retardation should be spoken to like any other person. Just because a person has a disability does not mean they have no feelings.
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A few days ago
Anonymous
yes they would, because you are disrespecting their right. They may be mentally retarded, but they are still humans like you thay have rights and the love when people acknowledge their righst and not judge them because of their condition.
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A few days ago
kat
Just use common sense and remember, apply the” Golden Rule”…..Do unto others….That really does go a long way. I’ve been teaching for years and yes, they are offended as am I. Wouldn’t you be?
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A few days ago
bunnys’r’cute
yes actually they would….its not like they wanted to be like that but its becuase God had a purpose to create them like that. iv’e always been taught next to handicapped people to treat them like normal people..how im talking like you im not disgusted by anything…were people who have souls.
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A few days ago
piratebunny
you should treat them as you would anyone else, to a certain extent
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