HEIGHTENED CONCERNS OVER THE 1992 AAMR DEFINITION - ADVOCACY VERSUS PRECISION

We reiterated our earlier concerns (MacMillan et al., 1993) regarding the 1992 AAMR definition of mental retardation and replied to a defens e of the definition (Reiss, 1994). Our major point here is that defini tional precision should not be sacrificed to advance a particular ideo logical position. The result of such a compromise is a definition lack ing precision and necessitating identification dependent upon assessme nt of behavioral dimensions for which there is currently no reliable m easurement. We explored the varied purposes served by classification s ystems and criticized the new AAMR definition for lack of precision ne eded to serve research. In addition, we attempted to reduce confusion over the concepts of reliability, assessment, test bias, and use of fa ctor analysis to establish the independence of adaptive skill domains. Some factual errors and incorrect representations in Reiss's article were pointed out.