The changing conception of mental retardation: implications for the field

The 1992 American Association on Mental Retardation's (AAMR) definition and classification of mental retardation is different from the previous classification system in that: (a) a single diagnostic code of mental retardation is used if the person meets the three criteria of age of onset (18 or under), significantly subaverage abilities in intellectual functioning, and related limitations in two or more adaptive skills areas; (b) the person's strengths and weaknesses are described in reference to four dimensions: intellectual functioning and adaptive skills; psychological and emotional well-being; health, physical well-being, and etiology; and life activity environments; and (c) a profile of needed supports is developed across the four dimensions. In this article we discussed six major implications of the 1992 System for the field of mental retardation.