Sunday, February 19, 2012

Semantics

I saved this definition, but the source is no longer there. Many programs operate under this. Some diagnoses I've seen make me wonder, because they are developmental in nature and I know the injury did not occur before age 18.

The condition must have begun prior to
age 18. The purpose of this criterion is to emphasize that
mental retardation is a developmental disability (the word
"retard" means to slow or delay). Therefore, a person who
suffers a stroke or a serious head injury during adulthood
would probably be considered to have a traumatic brain injury
and not mental retardation.

The right diagnosis is needed for financial and programming purposes.