My kids had IQ testing as part of the package of tests administered by the Children's Hospital Neuropsych dept's team of doctors. When I asked about it, I was told that it WAS a necessary part of the process. It reveals different things, depending on the other symptoms of the child.
We have friends with a fully autistic 11yo dd. She's not potty trained, she's got major OCD, she gets overwhelmed easily, and she doesn't speak. I don't know whether she's had any formal IQ testing done (she's been receiving services most of her life), but they must have done SOMETHING to figure out that this is a smart little gal. She's got a great memory, she loves music, and she can communicate through pictures and through independent spelling on a little machine (I don't remember what kind of computerized machine it is). I would imagine that if there were never any measure of her IQ, this girl would not be receiving the level of services she is now receiving that will benefit her as an adult. If they didn't know WHAT she was capable of, they wouldn't be able to work with her to provide her the best help necessary.
For my kids, they have high IQs, but are clearly deficit in other areas. The diagnostic report calls my ds "twice exceptional" since he has the need to be challenged academically yet he simultaneously needs supports for things like speech, writing, inferential thinking, social skills, motor skills, etc.
The higher IQ, if I understand correctly, is also part of what gives my kids the "Asperger's" diagnosis rather than a different spectrum disorder since, I believe, the high IQ is a feature of Asperger's.
Although it can be a little unsettling to see our kids' deficits spelled out in black and white (I was so happy when I was given the verbal diagnosis, but I cried when I read the written report; it seemed so stark), without the complete testing, it'll be harder for your dd to get a fully accurate diagnosis or assessment of her capabilities.
My kids DO occasionally hear/see something about their diagnosis that makes them sad until I point out to them that they ALREADY knew about whatever deficit they're feeling sad about hearing/seeing. I also remind them that that's why we're getting help for them. Additionally I point out some of their strengths and remind them that EVERYONE has some things they're good at and some things that are harder for them. So far it hasn't been much of a big deal to my 9yo ds & 13yo dd.
An IQ score does not define a child. I think that special needs parents have had more experience with labels and assessments and the like, and we know that our child is our child is our child no matter what.
My six year old has had three IQ tests, at three, 5 1/2 and 6. At three, there was not a lot of subtest variation, so
It is very possible that your dd has had an IQ test during one of her evaluations for the school district. It is typically one of the tests that are done with initial and triennial testing. Unless of course you are african american and living in California, then it is illegal but since when does the law make sense.
Check through her past reports from school. It would be in the psychologists report and it would likely be either the WISC (Wescler Intellegence Scales for Children) or the WJIII test of cognitive functioning (Woodcock-Johnson). The WJIII is confusing because there is an academic achievement one and a cognitive functioning one. The cognitive functioning is the IQ test. At any rate it would likely be called a "cognitive test" or "test of cognitive functioning" or something like that.
IQ tests can be useful in their way, however, for something like a Dept of Dev. Disabilities thing I don't think they are using it in a useful way. I would bet they are using it as a cut off for services. In other words a person would have to score at X or below to qualify (likely 70 or below) which is ridiculus when it comes to those with ASDs like your dd.
IQ tests like paula said are most helpful when looking past a full scale IQ score. Kids with autism rarely have accurate full scale IQ scores. Often they have scatter all over the darn place amung subtests. Looking at all their scores and their scatter can tell you lots of information about their learning style such as what their strengths and needs are. How to address teaching them and what accommodations they will need. You can get information on how they process information, their working memory, etc from IQ tests that are hard to glean from other tests. It is possible to get this info from other tests but IQ tests are nice because they are well normed. IE they have been tested over such a huge area and population that they are pretty accurate.
Hey, you also reminded me that over all IQ tests are not considered accurate until the child is at least 8yo. Prior to taht it can give you information on their learning profile but will not give an accurate IQ.
But then again I think it is pretty inaccurate for kids with ASD over all.
Hi lr,
Well I had a few done on Chris.
My kids had IQ testing as part of the package of tests administered by the Children's Hospital Neuropsych dept's team of doctors. When I asked about it, I was told that it WAS a necessary part of the process. It reveals different things, depending on the other symptoms of the child.
We have friends with a fully autistic 11yo dd. She's not potty trained, she's got major OCD, she gets overwhelmed easily, and she doesn't speak. I don't know whether she's had any formal IQ testing done (she's been receiving services most of her life), but they must have done SOMETHING to figure out that this is a smart little gal. She's got a great memory, she loves music, and she can communicate through pictures and through independent spelling on a little machine (I don't remember what kind of computerized machine it is). I would imagine that if there were never any measure of her IQ, this girl would not be receiving the level of services she is now receiving that will benefit her as an adult. If they didn't know WHAT she was capable of, they wouldn't be able to work with her to provide her the best help necessary.
For my kids, they have high IQs, but are clearly deficit in other areas. The diagnostic report calls my ds "twice exceptional" since he has the need to be challenged academically yet he simultaneously needs supports for things like speech, writing, inferential thinking, social skills, motor skills, etc.
The higher IQ, if I understand correctly, is also part of what gives my kids the "Asperger's" diagnosis rather than a different spectrum disorder since, I believe, the high IQ is a feature of Asperger's.
Although it can be a little unsettling to see our kids' deficits spelled out in black and white (I was so happy when I was given the verbal diagnosis, but I cried when I read the written report; it seemed so stark), without the complete testing, it'll be harder for your dd to get a fully accurate diagnosis or assessment of her capabilities.
My kids DO occasionally hear/see something about their diagnosis that makes them sad until I point out to them that they ALREADY knew about whatever deficit they're feeling sad about hearing/seeing. I also remind them that that's why we're getting help for them. Additionally I point out some of their strengths and remind them that EVERYONE has some things they're good at and some things that are harder for them. So far it hasn't been much of a big deal to my 9yo ds & 13yo dd.
In our county in PA, services are doled out by Mental Health/Mental Retardation (MH/MR) division.
Renee knows a lot more about this stuff than I do, but I believe
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Dear Little Roses,
An IQ score does not define a child. I think that special needs parents have had more experience with labels and assessments and the like, and we know that our child is our child is our child no matter what.
My six year old has had three IQ tests, at three, 5 1/2 and 6. At three, there was not a lot of subtest variation, so
Paula is a smart cookie.
It is very possible that your dd has had an IQ test during one of her evaluations for the school district. It is typically one of the tests that are done with initial and triennial testing. Unless of course you are african american and living in California, then it is illegal but since when does the law make sense.
Check through her past reports from school. It would be in the psychologists report and it would likely be either the WISC (Wescler Intellegence Scales for Children) or the WJIII test of cognitive functioning (Woodcock-Johnson). The WJIII is confusing because there is an academic achievement one and a cognitive functioning one. The cognitive functioning is the IQ test. At any rate it would likely be called a "cognitive test" or "test of cognitive functioning" or something like that.
IQ tests can be useful in their way, however, for something like a Dept of Dev. Disabilities thing I don't think they are using it in a useful way. I would bet they are using it as a cut off for services. In other words a person would have to score at X or below to qualify (likely 70 or below) which is ridiculus when it comes to those with ASDs like your dd.
IQ tests like paula said are most helpful when looking past a full scale IQ score. Kids with autism rarely have accurate full scale IQ scores. Often they have scatter all over the darn place amung subtests. Looking at all their scores and their scatter can tell you lots of information about their learning style such as what their strengths and needs are. How to address teaching them and what accommodations they will need. You can get information on how they process information, their working memory, etc from IQ tests that are hard to glean from other tests. It is possible to get this info from other tests but IQ tests are nice because they are well normed. IE they have been tested over such a huge area and population that they are pretty accurate.
HTH.
Renee
Hey, you also reminded me that over all IQ tests are not considered accurate until the child is at least 8yo. Prior to taht it can give you information on their learning profile but will not give an accurate IQ.
But then again I think it is pretty inaccurate for kids with ASD over all.