The Social Security Administration is Replacing the Term “Mental Retardation” in its Listing of Impairments

The United States Federal Register is replacing the term “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability” in the Listing of Impairments that are used to evaluate claims involving mental disorders in adults and children under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act and in other appropriate sections of the rules.

This change reflects the widespread adoption of the term “intellectual disability” by Congress, government agencies, and various public and private organizations.

“Advocates for...