Juvenile justice professionals generally agree that the mentally retarded juvenile offender is best served by comprehensive specialized services that target the particular needs of such youth. Efforts to deal with these youth in institutions that serve youth without mental handicaps will most often produce frustration and a further deterioration of self-esteem in the mentally retarded youth because of his/her inability to compete and perform successfully in a program tailored to the average resident. Mentally retarded youth have a legal right to treatment that will meet their needs just as do nonhandicapped youth. Specific treatment methodologies for the retarded juvenile offender may include (1) psychotherapy, providing difficulties in communication can be overcome; (2) verbal and nonverbal praise and the structuring of situations conducive to successful performance; (3) behavior modification programs that use negative and positive reinforcement; (4) appropriate academic programs; (5) vocational training; and (6) sex education. Funding for such programs may be obtained under the Federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act, Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and possibly the Comprehensive Employment Training Act (CETA) (vocational training programs). Ten notes are listed.