Why the R-Word Is Harmful and Outdated

The R-word and R-worded are euphemisms for "retard" and "retarded," words that are considered offensive and disrespectful when used to describe or insult people with intellectual disabilities or to insult people, places, and things by comparing them to people with intellectual disabilities. Learn more about why the use of slang like the R-word or R-worded is unkind, upsetting, and discriminatory—and needs to stop.

Origins of the R-Word

The verb "retard" means to hinder or to make something slow. "Mental retardation" was introduced as a medical term for people with intellectual impairments, replacing terms that were considered to be more offensive.

It was introduced as a neutral term by the American Association on Mental Retardation in 1961 and was adopted by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM). The term "intellectual disability" is now used in its place.

Eliminating the R-Word

As advocates began to work at changing the medical terminology, Rosa's Law was passed in 2010. The law eliminated all references to mental retardation in US federal law, replacing it with the term "mental disability" and "an individual with an intellectual disability."

New terminology was also adopted for the DSM-5 in 2013 and in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) in 2015, replacing "mental retardation" with "intellectual developmental disorders" and "intellectual disability." 

Protesting the Use of the R-Word

Special Olympics started a campaign at r-word.org (now spreadtheword.global) asking people to pledge to stop using the R-word, with a particular push in March of every year to "Spread the Word to End the Word."

Lauren Potter, an actress with Down syndrome who played cheerleader Becky on the television series Glee, made a PSA denouncing the R-word that can be seen along with many other videos on R-word.org's YouTube channel. This effort made a big impact by helping youth and adults understand the harm caused by the casual use of the R-word.

Teaching Kids Not To Use the R-Word

Bullying can take many forms, including using words like the R-word. Research shows that teaching kids about the importance of not using the R-word can help reduce its use. Giving students tools and strategies for discussing the issue with peers also empowers them to speak up at school.

While some folks who defend the use of the R-word claim that efforts to eliminate the use of the R-word mean "you can't say anything anymore," there are many less offensive words that work as substitutions. Whether the term is used with the intention of cruelty or in a more casual way, it still is unkind and disrespectful to those with intellectual disabilities. Make your speech more varied and less hurtful.

As you teach your children what is proper to say, coach them not to use the R-word, just as you would stop them from using a racial or ethnic slur. If you hear a child or adult using it, consider it a teachable moment and update them that the R-word is no longer an acceptable term.