To think that my DC’s (7) IQ test results could be wrong?

[Poorboy136]

So my DD has struggled at school in most areas, apart from IT. Can’t stand reading, writing, maths and got 26/40 for the phonics screening test.

As soon as she started nursery the teacher suggested DD could have dyspraxia but she was only 3 years and 3 months at the time and I felt far too young to be labelled as such.

I did take her to the consultant community paediatrician and development nurse as the school had me so worried. They done a SOGS assessment and were like “She’s absolutely fine we have no concerns at all” I even joking said to the developmental nurse that ‘the way the school was going on, I was worried she had global developmental delay...’ She said ‘darling, She hasn’t got GDD she’s just a bit immature don’t worry...’

I felt so much better as the top people had seen him and I felt they had much more of an idea if she had anything wrong with her.

School didn’t really say much, although I got the impression they thought the consultant etc was wrong 🙄

Fast forward 2.5 years and she was getting on at school ok so I was told by the teachers. Then about 6 months ago they said that she’s petered off and not making much progress. Can they get the Educational Psychologist in to assess her? But that it could be a year before she sees DD as my DDs needs are mild compared to most others.

In the meantime I decided to get her assessed privately and pay for a Dyslexia. As her dad has severe dyslexia and there’s a large hereditary component. He also shows aspects of dyspraxia so I thought that might be what it is. The lady that done it is a teacher with extra qualifications in identifying Dyslexia in children.

Had her assessed and it came back she does have dyslexia. I felt so relieved that I had this diagnosis as it made sense. She said she’s a bright chatty girl.

Then...

The Ed Psyc from school assessed her last week and was given a copy of her dyslexia report but didn’t look at it. (Fair enough, I understand she has a job to do and doesn’t want to be influenced etc...)

Basically she said DD didn’t have dyslexia but does have a “Moderate Learning Difficultly” based on her IQ score of 65.

I was shocked and really not prepared for that news. I was crying as you can imagine. I felt very confused as why hadn’t the consultant picked it up? The developmental nurse etc? She met all her milestones, didn’t have issues with language etc... and I thought dyslexia (considering her dad has it) fitted the bill nicely.

Unorganised, forgets things easily, can’t stay focused for too long. (These are DD’s main issues)

I also have a private tutor for DD and have done since before summer. I told her yesterday and she said she doesn’t think that’s right. She said 85 yes but not 65. She said that she taught a child who had an IQ of 74 and he wasn’t as bright as my DD in her opinion.

She asked questions like “How does Santa get to all the houses though, how can he make presents for all the boys and girls in the world?” I think surely that’s pretty clever to question that!

I also spoke to another Ed Psych who does private assessments and she said that DDs still very young and the problem with doing them in such young children is they can’t always be reliable. She advised 8 would be a better age to do a full IQ test. My DD has just turned 7.

So I feel like with what was said by the other Ed Psyc about the reliability at that age...

What her tutor said about finding it hard to believe...

The consultant and developmental nurse being ‘wrong’

And the dyslexia report saying she’s a bright little girl etc...

I’m beginning to think that it could be wrong? Dd struggles to stay on task and keep focused and gives up on tasks very easily. So I think sitting for an hour and a half getting assessed, could she just have given up?!!!

BTW an IQ of below 70 is classed as an intellectual disability 😢

Did you get a detailed report back or just the number?

Haven’t got repot back yet just a number, but she says she will get me the report before Christmas.

I understand why you’re so upset and disappointed. I think IQ is a really blunt measure and not terribly useful. Far better to focus on skills and aptitude in my (non expert) opinion. Your daughter is who she is. It sounds like you’re giving her the best support you can for her to thrive. I really would try not to get too hung up on a number.

@Testing

I feel so bad because it comes under the threshold of an intellectual disability. I’m worried about how she’s going to be as an adult. Will she be able to get married, have kids, drive, have a mortgage... I feel like my worlds in bits now and there’s not even any extra help for her at school financially. Nothing will change other than her results won’t be taken in to account etc. As you say, all of that because if a number 😭

I did an iq test for dyslexia as an adult and all my scores had confidence ranges that were 10 points either way so there's no guarantee the score your daughter has would be exactly that .
It sounds like the ed psych didn't get the full picture if they didn't read the report fully or conduct their own testing.

I got diagnosed as dyspraxic at 10 and they completely missed my dyslexia until i had the iq at 18, so it is possible for professionals to miss things and not get the full picture.

I think she has done absolutely the wrong thing giving you the score without sitting down and going through what that actually means.

From what I understand IQ scores for children with learning or behaviour difficulties can be inaccurate and quite fluid (although I know that psychologists hold varying opinions on this) . When my oldest DS did his the psych told us he got the right answer often but then added additional information that was wrong and ‘lost points’ she didn’t feel that the results rwere very representative.

Don’t look at the number as an indication of her potential but the detailed information from the subtests and talking about how she behaved in the test can be useful

A level that low would mean she struggles with normal living functions. If she's been in mainstream school and seems bright enough non academically then that sounds way off. Dont get hung up on a number but I'd get another opinion. Surely the school that knows your daughter must have a view on the accuracy.

Trust your instinct. Been there. Issues were raised from Primary 1. We were very lucky as a friend recommended I request an appointment from my GP with a consultant who specialised in Dyslexia. That report was listened to by the primary school. The Ed Psych's report was shocking - I still have it. Said my daughter wouldn't amount to anything and we as parents had unrealistic expectations. The Primary school didn't want to give her help until her last year as there are so many others much worse needing help. School was a constant fight - university less so. Daughter is achieving her potential - she's flying in her career but she works. Things are so much better for her. An absolute money pit for extra tutors over the years. Message was always it's achievable but you will have to work harder and it will take longer than other people to do some things; as long as you do your best to your abilities that is success. I / we view her dyslexia as a gift. Somewhere on the internet there is a list of famous people with dyslexia. Please don't be pessimistic - be proactive.

@pipandmum

Yes that’s the impression I was under regarding a score that low. The Ed Psych also pointed out that DD did not stand out in class at all. She’s got a tablet and is much better with it than me! Watches her movies/shows on it and plays different games on it- it’s got password etc and she fixes it when there’s a problem.

Totally inquisitive about everything. For example right now she’s asking how many years ago the polar express was built?!! 🤣

Is she year 2? One of the oldest?
Could be the ed psych gets called in when a school want a kids results to be ignored.
So she didnt meet the eyfs expectations?
Sounds like you need to try to work on concentration levels because as you say the results arent ging to be accurate if she is not concentrating.
Maybe (if not already) try reading longer chapter books to her or with her reading alternate lines/pages etc. Or maybe audio books.
And games she has to concrntrate on. (We struggle with this with dc 7yo in yr 3 as they just end up with pieces everywhere).

With reading a lot of the work is done at home (our school only read with dc maybe twice a term 1-2-1 and instead did guided reading which probably doesnt help that much).

If it is yr2 look at the sats papers and consider how much she will be able to do?

I had my dd seen by an ED psych at11. She was diagnosed with dyslexia with scores varying from the age of 6 to beyond the top end of the scale.
He said it was inappropriate to calculate iq because of the extreme variation.
I would add that she is has a great job and lives independently with her boyfriend at 19.

IQ tests that young are far less accurate and reliable than dyslexia tests. In addition, most IQ tests have a large class cultural component so if your child has not yet been exposed to middle class cultural ideas, they will score lower than they should.

I would say she definitely has the dyslexia. On the lack of focus, organisation and memory, has she been assessed for ADHD? It manifests differently in girls from boys and often girls with ADHD are missed entirely or misdiagnosed as low IQ or autistic. Dyslexia and ADHD are also comorbid...as in having one increases the chances you have the other compared to non-dyslexics.

IQ is bollocks - according to my IQ scores I shouldn't be able to figure out how to write this or post it.

IQ testing does depend on the child being cooperative and making their best effort at answering the questions.
My dd tested at 57 when she was little. It's turned out to be very obviously vastly wrong. She's autistic, obviously pretty intelligent but does have a lot of problems that are (so far) getting in the way of her using that intelligence fully. It's been totally impossible to get another IQ result for her, though several psychologists have tried, as she totally refuses to cooperate and answer any of their questions.
She's 21 now and the IQ result had absolutely zero significance all through school and college. She had a statement which changed to the EHCP, attended mainstream, then homeschooled, then special school and now a special college. The IQ result was never referenced or mentioned a single time. That's how important/relevant they are

@AbbieLexie

Hi there

The specialist dyslexia teacher said she had dyslexia but sadly the Ed Psych that seen my DD said she didn’t have dyslexia, but that she had a ‘Moderate General Learning Difficultly’. I wish it was dyslexia.

At 65 she'd be struggling with very very basic living tasks, not asking questions about Santa's present distribution. I'd be querying this very strongly as it sounds like the senco is both overstepping the mark and talking absolute bollocks. Have they even tallied the scores correctly?!

Ps... the Ed Psych based that on her 65 IQ score 😢

Here is a list of ADHD symptoms in girls;

Not all girls with ADHD will exhibit all of the following signs and symptoms.3 Conversely, having one or two of these does not equal an ADHD diagnosis in and of itself. However, if your daughter seems to exhibit a few of these symptoms on a continual basis, a discussion with an experienced professional may be beneficial.

Difficulty maintaining focus; easily distracted
Shifting focus from one activity to another
Disorganized and messy (in her appearance and physical space)
Forgetful
Problems completing tasks
Daydreaming and in a world of her own
Takes time to process information and directions; seems like she doesn't hear you
Looks to be making "careless" mistakes
Often late (poor time management)
Hyper-talkative (always has lots to say, but is not good at listening)
Hyperreactivity (exaggerated emotional responses)
Verbally impulsive; blurts out and interrupts others
Seems to get easily upset
Highly sensitive to noise, fabrics, and emotions
Doesn’t seem motivated
Doesn’t appear to be trying
Seems shy
Appears withdrawn
Cries easily
Might often slam her doors shut

from 20 signs and symptoms of girls with adhd, verywellmind

I would go private and get a full battery of tests done for a second opinion. Have the dr start with a clean slate. Do not tell them prior test results or diagnoses. I think the Ed Psych was prejudiced from a bad in test.

@Unusualsuspicion

Hi

As the days are passing the more I’m starting to really think she’s wrong. One and a half hours for my DD sitting doing assessment is a long time. She loses interest pretty fast which is one of the issues.

It wouldn’t be hard to get a low score on an IQ test, just guessing the answers cos you can’t be bothered to think, would be enough to fail it.

I’m just so confused as when you read online about score of 65 as you say, it shows limitations in every area. Her communication skills are great, she’s constantly asking questions that I think ‘wow that’s pretty clever fur a 7 year old’

There was a film on when Santa’s sleigh was in the sky and it was turning round and she said “why don’t the presents fall of the sleigh” I mean, surely that’s logic thinking in the real world..

She is still so young but I would not accept the IQ results, was the IQ test written?

From what you've written dyslexia sounds very likely. My dd 16 has severe dyslexia and she now managing fine, she did leave school as soon as she was able and now attends college where support is much better. We are in Scotland so the system is slightly different.

I don't know what to suggest but definitely question the IQ results. I didn't even know they done them on children so young!

We struggled to get a diagnosis and support so I feel your pain and struggle!

Does she talk and communicate, ask and answer questions for her age?

@PlanDeRaccordement

I’m very very tempted to go private as I just can’t fully settle until I have a second option. As they say, a test for a child that young can change depending on the administrator, the day, the mood of the child.

I feel like something just doesn’t add up.

With what the other Ed Psych told me about it being very young to assess and they can be unreliable. (I phoned her asking her to do it private but she wasn’t keen as she said above, he’s very young)

What the consultant said

What his private said said

And the dyslexia report

I just don’t know whether to wait until she’s about 8.5/9 then get it done again of getting it done now privately.

Private tutor* said I mean

If a blood relative is dyslexic, then it is highly likely that she is dyslexic. In which case I fail to see how someone who is dyslexic can be accurately assessed by an arbitrary IQ test.

Consider adhd, which isn't necessarily limiting her future ability. You are doing the right things and it's often difficult to diagnose in young children. Once ghey hit 9 and 10 it's easier to pin down diagnoses. But she sounds lovely