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'Mental retardation' or 'intellectual disability': time for a conceptual change
Luis Salvador-Carulla1, Marco Bertelli
1WPA Section Psychiatry of Mental Retardation/Intellectual Disability, Jerez, Spain. luis.salvador@telefonica.net
Psychopathology
|October 24, 2007
Summary
The term intellectual disability (ID) replaced mental retardation (MR) without a clear nosology. This paper proposes viewing ID as a metasyndrome, suggesting "developmental cognitive impairment" as a complementary term.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Medical Terminology
Background:
- The term 'mental retardation' (MR) is outdated and has been replaced by 'intellectual disability' (ID).
- The transition from MR to ID lacked a formal nosological framework.
- This shift necessitates a re-evaluation of the conceptualization and naming of these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide psychiatrists with a conceptual background on the field of intellectual disability/mental retardation.
- To offer a nosology-based perspective on the ongoing debate regarding the name and concept of MR/ID.
Main Methods:
- This is a conceptual paper.
- It is based on a comprehensive literature review.
- It incorporates insights from iterative debates within the WPA Section 'Psychiatry of Mental Retardation'.
Main Results:
- Intellectual disability (ID) can be conceptualized as a 'metasyndrome,' a grouping of heterogeneous conditions, rather than a distinct disease.
- This metasyndrome encompasses diverse etiologies, including genetic, nutritional, infectious, metabolic, and neurotoxic factors.
- Key characteristics include cognitive deficits impacting functioning, activities, and participation.
Conclusions:
- The term 'developmental cognitive impairment' is proposed to complement 'intellectual disability' (ID).
- This suggestion aligns with a polysemic-polynomious approach to naming the condition previously known as MR.
- This aims to provide a more nuanced and comprehensive nomenclature for the metasyndrome.
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