The term "intellectual disability" officially replaced "mental retardation" in the DSM-5, reflecting a significant societal and clinical shift. Initially, "mental retardation" was introduced as a clinical term to substitute more derogatory language and did not carry a social stigma. Over time, however, it came to be perceived as demeaning and inaccurate by affected individuals, their families, and professionals. This perception drove advocacy for new terminology, leading to the widespread adoption of "intellectual disability" by clinical bodies and government organizations, such as state departments that previously served this population.