First, “mental retardation” is a medical term. The IQ cut off is 69. Seventy, and you’re not retarded.

Second, I have spent much of the year considering this topic, particularly since Sophie’s IQ clocked in at 83.

(This was the topic of the piece I did for This American Life, which you can find at www.thislife.org — it ran June 30, the social engineering show. Sophie’s about to pop in the room and my blogging time will be over, so I can’t paste the URL in. Sorry!)

Sophie was not even 5 when they tested her, and some smart people discount IQ tests altogether. So take that 83 for what it might or might not be worth. I took it to a professional, since losing the MR status (while super for me, her bragging parent) could be troubling for Sophie: It could mean a loss in services at a crucial time.

There was some doubt about the veracity of the tests she was given this spring, at school.

So today, Ray and I will meet with the psychologist who has spent the summer retesting her. I’ll let you know the results.

I’m sad, in anticipation. And selfish, I know. But wouldn’t you want to have the smartest little kid with Down syndrome, ever?

Either way, I know I do.

(Well, that made for a nice last line, anyway.)