IQ tests

[Pwsimerimew]

Where's the best place to go for an IQ test for a child?

Educational Psychologist .

ok, thanks.

Why do you want one?

IQ tests are not a relistic summary of an adults inteligence never mind a child.

I'm just confused at the moment, grasping at straws. DS who was diagnosed with Aspergers, and has a statement to help at school, now Clynical psych says he's not reaching Aspergers criteria and that he's gifted. (which doesn't really explain why he's distruptive at school)

How old is he pwsimerimew?
When ds1 was 7 we had concerns that he had AS or ASD-like behaviours, but school told us they thought the peer problems were due to his unusual abilities, rather than anything else. We self-referred to an Ed Psych who specialised in G&T children.

He did - among other things - do an 'assessment' of ds1's abilities (ie IQ), but that really didn't tell us anything we didn't know. We knew he was very bright, we didn't need any scores to prove it. The benefit of seeing an EP was the advice he gave us on dealing with the other issues.

Who diagnosed your ds as having AS? If he already has a statement I think it is very likely that he will have had an IQ-like assessment already. (In the reports it might say something like BAS scales or cognitive assessment, or similar.)

Another clinical psych - 3yrs ago. At the time, we disputed it, but agreed in the end that they must be right. ( but it's only now that someone has asked for a "formal" assessment - which we thought the first one was.)
An Ed Psych saw him at school when he was 6 (DS is 10 now) and I think he tested him then and put him on 98th centile.
The psych at CAMHS wants to see me and DH againin a month to discuss other traits and behaviour of DS. We've always said that his behaviour at school was nothing like at home - and the psych says that this is one reason why he thinks he's not on the spectrum, ie it's not something he can switch on and off depending on where he is.....
4yrs on and still no real answers!

I might be naive but I thought that the method for testing children for Autism or Asperger's was on a one to one basis in a "playroom" with parents looking in behind a glass wall! I'm watching too much telly.

My ds2 did some IQ testing with an Ed Psych but not a full proper test. The way it was explained to me was that whereas a typical child will have areas of strength and areas of weakness the difference in those scores won't be all that great. The results for a child with AS will often show very large differences between each area. As an example, ds2 got very high scores for the visual areas but on language he scored well below average for a child of his age. He has AS.

I would be wary though of anyone making a diagnosis of AS based solely on an IQ test. Ideally a child should have a full multi-disciplinary assessment. Mine saw a whole range of people: Occupational Therapist, Speech & Language Therapist, Child Psychologist, Paediatrician before being given a diagnosis.

The one thing I would say though is that it is fairly common for children with AS/ASD to be either fine at home but not at school, and vice versa.

A dx of ASD or AS would involve all sorts of different assessments, reports/observations from parents and teachers, etc.

Do you have a copy of the EP report at age 6? If not, ask the school for a copy. Putting him on the 98th centile would mean a high IQ, but not a very unusual score that would be expected to explain behaviours. (I know of children who've received scores on 99.9th centile and above)

I have just searched a bit on your name [apologies for the nosiness] and your case does intrigue me. I've rarely heard of a child having such major problems at school and no difficulties at home. It's also very unusual to get a statement without a formal diagnosis.

Personally I would certainly be thinking about Home Ed if this at all a possibility for you. Depending on what your secondary options are you might want to home ed for a couple of years.

I'm confused as to how am IQ test would clear this up for the psychologist. Surely a child can be academically gifted and have AS?

My ds is also on the 98th centile. The question of AS was raised when he was 3 and he still doesn't have a diagnosis at 10. His difficulties occur at home and school though.

IQ tests aren't used to diagnose ASD. Many ed psychs who work for local authorities don't do IQ tests to tests for "giftedness" as their role is primarily to support children with special educational needs, and giftedness is generally not considered an SEN. However, if your child has behavioural difficulties at school, an ed psych may be very useful in helping to identify what the issues are and working with teachers to ensure suitable strateies are put in place.

Incidentally, if your ds has already been tested on an IQ test and his performance placed him at the 98th centile, you already know that he is very bright. Another IQ test is simply going to tell you the same thing. It costs about £350 to get one done privately. If I were you I really wouldn't waste your money.

Quite agree with Coppertop. The point of IQ testing with Asperger's is to show up the uneven profile. It highlights areas which may be causing additional stress - it's not so much about the score.
My son is Asperger's and very bright - his behaviour has always been dramatically different at home and at school.
Perhaps use an independent psych. to do a full AS assessment?

I don't have AS, but was 'trouble' in class, I wouldn't shut up, actually still won't! The only time I did was at uni doing my degree. Fact is I was bored, the AS thing upsets me I. Some instances as I know a kid who apparently has AS but he strikes me as very similar to me at his age, I didn't fit in, because I was frustrated by the work that I was doing, which was the same as everyone elsen but they just didn't get it. I was lazy and bored in my classes. Is there anyway of getting your DS a different level of work? It would probably help him no end!

Okay, I agree that it doesnt make sense to have another IQ test - I don't have the money! What we need is a fairy godmother to answer all questions and make all ds and my problems disappear! I can see it now, this half term he'll be a model child, and going back to school after this break will be "horrendus" (School's words)
I can only hope that the omega 3 supplement I've just started him on will help. See, grasping at straws again.

Roisin, we've toyed with the idea of home ed a couple of times, but I guess we're too lazy. Would we have to do it or would we get tutors? Don't think I could inspire him to learn about maths and science.
DS has been seen by child psych, paediatrician, various ed psychs, specialist teachers.
Anita - his head assures me that he's getting some advanced work, but he's reluctant to do any work - especially Maths.
Thank you all for your concern and top tips. Its good just being able to write on here.