The government of Argentina, under the leadership of President Javier Milei, released a new standard for the assessment and certification of disability last month. This standard, which was intended to classify individuals with intellectual disabilities, used outdated and offensive terminology such as “idiots,” “imbeciles,” and “mentally weak.” In a surprising turn of events, the Argentine government announced on Thursday, February 27, that the resolution was “a mistake” and would be revoked.

The controversial resolution was issued by the National Agency of Disability within the Argentine Ministry of Health, a body tasked with defending the rights of persons with disabilities. The resolution altered the classification of intellectual disability from categories such as light, moderate, severe, or profound to the derogatory terms “idiot,” “imbecile,” and “deep, moderate, or light mental weakness.”

The text of the resolution sparked widespread criticism from Argentine organizations, which initially attempted to reverse the new terminology. However, the issue gained traction on social media and in the press, leading to a public outcry. On Thursday, the Argentine National Disability Agency issued a statement admitting the error. The agency stated, “We want to clarify that the use of the terms in question had no discriminatory intention. It was a mistake resulting from the use of concepts belonging to an obsolete terminology.” The resolution, numbered 187/2025, is now slated to be revised “according to current medical conventions.”

We want to clarify that the use of the terms in question had no discriminatory intention. It was a mistake resulting from the use of concepts belonging to an obsolete terminology.

Argentine National Disability Agency

The resolution’s text, which remains in force, includes descriptions such as “the idiot has not gone through the Gnostic phase, does not read, or writes, does not know the money, does not control the sphincters, does not satisfy their basic needs, cannot subsist alone.” It further describes “the imbecile” as someone who “does not read or write, satisfies your elementary needs, can perform rudimentary tasks.” The term “deep mentally” is used to describe individuals who “only writes the signature, has a simple vocabulary, not handling money, can perform rudimentary tasks.”

Critics argue that the new classification system is not only offensive but also scientifically outdated. The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) has long advocated for the use of person-first language and the abandonment of derogatory terms. The AAIDD’s guidelines emphasize the importance of respectful and inclusive language in describing individuals with disabilities. This incident highlights the broader issue of outdated and discriminatory language in medical and legal documents, a problem not unique to Argentina.

In the United States, similar controversies have arisen in the past. For instance, the use of the term “moron” in legal and medical documents has been criticized for its derogatory connotations. The term, which was once used in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), has since been replaced with more respectful terminology. The Argentine government’s decision to revert to outdated terminology has drawn comparisons to these historical missteps, underscoring the need for continuous review and updating of medical and legal language.

The new scale in Argentina was reportedly copied from a decree signed almost 30 years ago by former Argentine President Carlos Menem, a liberal who was admired by Milei. This same text had been updated years later to comply with the World Health Organization’s guidelines, from which the current president decided to remove Argentina earlier this month. The decision to revert to outdated terminology has been seen as a step backward in the fight for disability rights and inclusive language.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of using respectful and inclusive language in all fields, including medicine and public policy. It also highlights the need for continuous education and training for professionals working with individuals with disabilities. Organizations like the AAIDD and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) in the U.S. have long advocated for the use of respectful language and the promotion of disability rights.

As the world continues to evolve, so too must the language we use to describe and interact with individuals with disabilities. The Argentine government’s decision to revoke the controversial resolution is a step in the right direction, but it also underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and advocacy in the fight for disability rights and inclusive language.