IQ CAT Scores

[constantworrier]

My daughter is aged 9 and is being assessed for a statement. Even to achieve the assessment we had to launch an appeal through sendist- it is a terrible school and a slippery LEA!

We are now convinced sadly that she can't cope in mainstream and will need a specialist school.( rather than the LEA special school) although I think the LEA will say she can manage in mainstream. She has severe discalculia, dyspraxia and motor planning skills. She has good language, and social skills.Apparantly she has what is known as a Spiky profile

We have had some independant reports done as well (We know it will be at a SENDIST at some point) Her Iq has been tested by school in Feb2008 using CAT SCORES and her results are pretty low- I am gutted!

What would people advise- should we fight for a good school (independent specialist or are we wasting our time?)

Many Thanks CW

I think fight.
Visit lots of schools and try to decide where she would fit best.
If you don't get the provision you want at least you can't beat yourself up for not trying.

No brainer - you have to aleast fight, even if you eventually lose the battle.

O.K thanks, that is what my instincts are telling me to do. But at the back of my mind I am worried that her IQ is basically too low even for some of the specialist schools that are out there. Im trying to work out- has she SPLD's or has she a full on learning disability and just needs to go to the local special school. The weird thing is if you met her she sounds so bright and articulate you wouldn't think there was anything wrong with her.

If she has a spikey profile her IQ score will be disproportionately lowered by her lower scores and therefore should not be used or considered.

If there is a large discrepancy between language and non verbal reasoning skills then overall IQ score should not be used and is meaningless, and indivual subtest scores, and separate Verbal and Non verbal scores should be used.

It souns like this is a really imporatnt point for your daughter as a low IQ score will give the wrong idea about her ability.

General IQ scores tell you very little at the best of times but if you hve a spikey profile with huge discreapancies they are meaningless.

Have you had a private EP report?

Hi Syslak Yes she has, she saw her yesterday actually and so gave me verbal feedback and her report will be ready in two weeks. She has already indicated that there is a significant discrepancy. have you any personal experience with this sort of thing-everyone tells me I should instruct an independent solicitor.

I am an EP, I do alot of cognitive testing, and this point about IQ scores is really important. You must not let the school or LEA use an IQ score to suggest she has general learning difficulties if she has large discrepancies between ability areas.

Talk to your EP about it, before he/she writes the report. Ensure the EP is stressing the areas you need them to in thier report.

If you are going to tribunal, an independent solicitor who specialises in SEN will be extremely valuable.

I know of one who does national work specialising in SEN who has a fantastic reputation and can get the details if you are interested.

Syslak, thanks so much for your advice, thats really crucial information for me.

My gut feeling is that she hasn't got general learning difficulties because she seems so bright and interested in the world around her. She started asking questions about the government and taxes at the aGe of 5!

So im hoping that our EP will highlight the discrepancy in her report.

I have made some enquries about solicitors as I realise that Education Law is a real niche area. Is the one you know female with the initials MN? thanks

We have a similar problem, if not as serious issues and therefore more a case of degree and perception among his peers than type of school. The breakdown of IQ is very interesting as it doesn't corrolate directly to CAT's or Pips which are very general. A full EP report should break this down and provide a strong case for discussion.