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 😢

I fail to see how someone who is dyslexic can be accurately assessed by an arbitrary IQ test.

Oh ok, please tell us how you diagnose dyslexia then?

I read it that she meant someone with diagnosed dyslexia would struggle with an IQ test and the score would be meaningless. Not that you can't diagnose dyslexia with an IQ test.

@danni0509 I work in the NHS with paediatricians and the adults with learning disabilities services. They won't even pick up a referral if it says learning difficulties as it's very different to learning disabilities. I guess it could be region specific.

Mencap are quite clear that a learning difficulty is something quite different!

www.mencap.org.uk/learning-disability-explained/learning-difficulties

It's general learning difficulties that our Ed physc said too @Poorboy136.

How she described it to us, was in most or all areas. That's a general learning difficulty.

@hettie

It was the Es Psych that done the test and it was the Weischer (whatever it’s called) that she used

Not sure what the Dyslexia teacher used when she done it but he scored 110 for the verbal reasoning part of her assessment....

Well then there are discrepancies between the conclusions different professionals have reached. However, as PP says, maybe this is a favour. With this report, you have the option to make a "parental request" for an ECHP, to the local authority, which will trigger more assessments anyway.

It is surprising that the school are unsupportive of ECHP route.

Seek your own advice. The local authority should have something called "parent partnership" and there are also SN advice charities that could help you.

Also just to add

When she had her dyslexia assessment on the part for verbal reasoning he scored 110. I know it wasn’t a full blown IQ test but.... they have to do elements of verbal and non verbal reasoning to be able to say if she has difficulties in a specific area.

That goes totally against the IQ score she got... of 65

@rainywinterday I think it probably is region specific.

I go on the sn boards on here regularly and everyone describes the same sort of thing differently.

It was the Es Psych that done the test and it was the Weischer (whatever it’s called) that she used

Ask for the full report with sub-test scores.

With this EP report, you can pursue an EHCP with or without the school’s support.

Just from what you have said, I am guessing dyspraxia rather than dyslexia, just going by my own, dyspraxic daughter's behaviour. But it can be quite hard to diagnose correctly.

For a dyspraxia diagnosis she’d need to see an occupational therapist (OT) qualified to diagnose. An EP can’t diagnose dyspraxia anyway.

OP, if your daughter was functioning at 65 for verbal and non-verbal, you would know there were distinct issues without an assessment. She would struggle socially, in terms of language : communication at home and I doubt she’d be asking the kind of questions you have described.

If she was scored at 110 previously, then she’s a high average and this is absolutely fine. It must be speed processing or working memory bringing the average down.

Reading your opening post I wondered if you had difficulties at school too.

Very sorry you've had this news about your daughter but IQ tests can be wrong, especially if the subject is dyslexic. Please do have her tested privately, then you will be in a position to decide on the correct type of education for her.

All the best.

Please use this ‘gift’ that the EP has given you. With it you can get support, which is the most important thing.

110 for VR sorry.

@rainywinterday

Hi there

I understand what you mean about there being a difference and that’s why I made her tell me the name of dd ‘condition’ and she said it’s a ‘General Learning Difficulty- to a Moderate level’

When I look further in to it, the IQ score being 65 means DD is now in the category for having a ‘Mild Intellectual Disability’ (IQ between 55-69/70). When I question mrs the Ed Psych she couldn’t/didn’t really elaborate...

It’s so confusing

@Poorboy136 - its not up to them whether an ECHP is granted, if they are not supportive you can request the assessment for an ECHP yourself, bear in mind you might need to appeal. I think is it [[https://www.kids.org.uk/sendiass SENDIASS]] that are meant to be good for knowledge on this, but the lovely ladies on the special needs boards here will know more.

link fail!

@Bluerussian

Hi there

With all due respect, what do mean by your post wondering if I had difficulties at school too? Out of curiosity? X

@MillicentMartha, You are quite right, my DD was diagnosed by an OT. I should have mentioned that.

I would say she definitely has the dyslexia

I know you're trying to be nice but you can't be saying things like this and diagnosing kids on the Internet,

Op, no one here can say either way I'm sorry. As she's not progressing at school and they were concerned enough to have her formally assessed, for your child's sake I'd try to keep an open mind here.

I understand you desperately wish it to be dyslexia, who wouldn't, but be open to what you're being told. Having her iq assessed again is clearly an option.

In reality though I'd be focusing heavily on how to help her make progress at school. Listen to what the school is suggesting to support your child because ultimately that's what matters more.

when I was in primary school one of my teachers told my dm that I was - in his words - retarded. I wasn't (I probably have always had adhd I suspect! judging from that list!) I was v short sighted & couldn't see the board (put at the back of the classroom) when I finally got my glasses I went from struggling with Janet & John to reading my big sisters " The Triffids" within a term. I became a very mature student & graduated with a high 2/1 (my spelling is still bad -I love spell check!) If your dc has adhd it may affect her ability with timing part of the IQ test ditto if her spelling is poor. There are several forms of IQ tests & some people (presidents???) apparently can score quite well but you have to question the accuracy! I remember in Psychology being told that they are notoriously inaccurate. Read stories to her & check her comprehension - check her hearing & vision (my bugbear for obvious reasons) If she has dyspraxia that will also cause problems because she may also be cross lateral all of these things will affect her ability to do the tests & dc develop at different rates - you are doing the right things!

@TheYear I don't know how you test for dyslexia.

However in my view, I don't see how something like an IQ test with low results would be able to distinguish between someone who is dyslexic and someone who is not all that bright. It would be like trying to assess intelligence using a hearing test on someone with an undiagnosed hearing difficulty.

They told my mum that my dyslexic brother was too dumb to even finish school. He ended up doing and finishing three separate university studies, including law. Just test her privately next year.

It was completely wrong for you to be given a single number IQ without the full scores and full report and analysis of how that score was reached.

As you're concerned about dyslexia, you need her person who administered the test to explain why your dd's scores show that she doesn't have dyslexia.

Just for a point of reference, my ds has recently been diagnosed with a visual processing disorder. His scores ranged between the 99 centile and the 1st, and the report clearly said that there was no value in ascribing an IQ because it would be the mean of very wide range of scores that couldn't eliminate the influence of his visual processing disability.

It's the profile and detail that you need, not a single number.