IQ 71 anyone know much about IQ?

[MrsSam]

Hi everyone, DD had an ed psych assessment a couple of weeks ago and we had the feed back this week. It turns out things are actually worse than we thought and whilst answering questions for the ed psych we realised there are a lot of things we thought DD does and in fact she doesn't. For example I would have said she handles money fine as she goes to the shop on the corner to get things we ask for without a problem, dig a little deeper and we realise she doesn't know how much change she should have from a 5/10/20 pound note and every time she comes back she shows up the change and says 'is this right?'. We have always thought it rather stupidly assumed she was checking so we knew she had the right change but it turns out it's because she has no idea what it should be. That is just one example and let's just say after examining things properly it's only luck and her mobile phone which has meant she has never been completely lost when going out the door.

Anyway, I digress, the ed psych said her IQ is 71. Now I know IQ is just one of a number of indicators and it's very specific in nature but 71 sounded low to me. When I looked it up I found that IQ 70 and under is classed as low IQ and would count as significant mental impairment, 71-86 is borderline. It doesn't take a genius to work out that 71 is about as borderline as you can get. I've done the maths to assess mental age (only on IQ which I know isn't really done much anymore but I had to know) and it suggests a mental age of 7.1! DD is 15. Does anyone have any experience with IQ? I'm just curious to know anyone else's experience with their child's IQ no matter what the score.

[Ineedmorepatience]

I think IQ is not always a helpful thing to know to be honest! I think if you can focus on teaching her strategies to cope with the things she cant manage to work out she will be ok!

I have a child with a high IQ who doesnt know if she needs a shower or not! Just for perspective!

[youarenotkiddingme]

I agree iq isn't necessarily helpful in indicating ability to function.

what can help is the individual profile scores which help to form the IQ and working in strengths as a way to support weaknesses.

For example you say she uses a phone fine. Well she can use the calculator on that to check what her change should be.
Maps will help her navigate her way around. There's apps that can help with other things including speech to text etc.

[BoffinMum]

Another thing I would add here is that you can sometimes 'grow' IQ a few points in the right environment, which can improve functionality a little. So IQ is a bit more plastic than people sometimes think.

Music lessons are really helpful in this respect, and there are a few other things - keeping a diary, exercise, extremely good diet, doing word and number puzzles, things like that. I would have to look up the proper science though as it's out of my research area.

[MrsSam]

Thanks for the responses, I have never really bothered about IQ but I remember when DS3 was originally assessed they were really interested in his IQ because it was high. Just wondered how things were at the other end of the scale. I worry because she struggles in so many areas. I feel like I am having to throw myself in to things really fast with DD as I missed things for so long. I am over compensating and over thinking.

[MrsSam]

Youaeenotkiddingme, DD uses a phone but cannot use a calculator. I don't know why but she just can't do it, she can cope with maths in school but won't use a calculator there either. We are in the process of working out exactly what she can and can't do. Steep learning curve. I think I will shelve the IQ results and concentrate on working out her strengths and weaknesses

[MrsSam]

Thanks poltergoose, DD is happy and you are completely right, that is what is most important. That's what I should focus on!

[BlackeyedSusan]

the subgroups on an IQ test will help work out what is going on./ eg processing speed? working memory?

if it were me I would look at all the basic life skills and find out if you have missed other gaps. (v easy to do) work out what she can do and what she needs support with. what are the crucial life skills. if she can not work out change for eg she will have difficulty living independently. (change is easier if you do it in steps anyway. 1p to get to the next pound, two pounds to get to ten and ten pounds to make the change from a twenty...)

[youarenotkiddingme]

I agree smart tech is making so much easier for everyone nowadays.
Plus if you can read how much change you should herbals add up coins in hand it's easy to check.

Things like smart scanners make it easy to add shopping as you go along.

Plus there are many illiterate adults who've managed their way around things without admitting they can't read in the past. Luckily, despite system still being shite, we are past the days of not recognising Sen so you can work on those things she can do to overcome it.

If it makes you feel better my Ds has a high in apparently but couldn't follow the instructions to get to shop as he'd forget why he went!