The term 'mentally deficient' was used in Queensland from around the 1920s to the late 1970s to describe people with intellectual disabilities.
'Mental defective' was one of the categories of Mental Deficiency. The term was loosely applied from the early 20th century until the 1960s to people considered to be intellectually, behaviourally or sexually subnormal. Some 'mental defectives' were physically disabled whereas others were considered to be 'high grade' or 'high functioning' but their behaviour was considered unacceptable to welfare authorities.
Prepared by: Lee Butterworth
Created: 8 November 2011, Last modified: 26 February 2015
Last updated: 7 August 2023
Cite this: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/qld/biogs/QE00303b.htm
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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