Semantics-Antics

I hope this isn't a new trend, but it seems as if some people are using the terms "mentally disabled" "intellectually disabled" and "learning disabled" interchangeably. This could cause a lot of confusion. There's a recent article I read on Newsweek.com that talks about colleges admitting the intellectually disabled. But in the heading of the web browser it reads "More Colleges Welcoming Learning Disabled." Two different populations are being referred to in this article. Mentally disabled and intellectually disabled are now the terms used to refer to what was once known as mentally retarded. Learning disabled refers to those who have difficulties in school, but have at least an average IQ. (That's a very brief defintion of LD.) The most common learning disability is a reading disability also known as dyslexia.

Those with learning disabilities have always been able to go to college. And most public universities and colleges accomodate students with needs. It is good to see that some colleges are admitting students who are intellectually disabled. It may offer them more opportunities to develop and learn, and it sets higher goals for the entire population. Before, the goal was to have a person graduate from high school and be able to sustain a living, now some are going onto college. This is big.

BBC