You're right GP. It's frustrating, and it IS a problem. I feel the same way when "gay" (and its related terms) are used as an insult. The folks who are calling eachother retarded, retard... lack imagination.And they don't realize that it affects others. Your cousin has DS, so it hurts your feelings. You school probably has kids who are developmentally disabled but who dont have a syndrome with identifiable facial characteristics (simply put some kids might be retarded, but not look any different). It would be very hard for them to hear "retard" thrown around as an insult.... If you do feel strong enough you can try to educate them....It's a tough job though. And teachers should be helping with this issue.