I read the comment on your daughter's needs with interest---I have the exact same issue but my daughter is only in second grade. She is lost. The doctor responding to your post suggesed that alternative schooling is the answer-expensive, ok--but what schools are appropriate? I live in Washington DC area. Most "alternative" schools are for kids from very troubled backgrounds. Others are for severely disabled kids. Priate schools for LD kids say they want children with average or above average IQs. Help!

I hate to burst your bubble here: But I also have a son with an IQ of 70, and by definition, that IS mentally retarded. Good luck with your daughter

I have recently adopted my 13 year old step daughter. She too has a very low IQ. She was in the 4th grade when her father and I made the decision to home school her. I felt very helpless because there was no special help for her. NONE. She can read but her voacb. is so young that she can not understand what she has been reading. And taking her to the local mental health office was equally upsetting. I have to say reading these comments has broght me a little hope today. After 3 years of homeschooling I have come to the fact that you can not teach a child things that go way over their head. And if they still dont get it.... don't move on. Work with them at their own level. AND dont give up!