IQ and Learning Disability
By Inderbir Kaur Sandhu, Ph.D
Q:
My soon-to-be 9 year old, third grader is rated at below her
grade level for reading. I have observed both high levels of
understanding, for instances, mathematics, and an inability
to comprehend materials that are age appropriate. Something
in her learning seemed askew. Her teachers agreed and we
chose to have her tested for a learning disability.
The results are in. The school psychologist concludes that
she does not have a learning disability and has an IQ of 90,
or below average. This result doesn't sit will her current
and past teachers nor with me.
The child is creative, insightful, has an excellent memory
and quick comprehension of materials read aloud to her. In
fact, she reads her comic books while I read aloud to her
and can recite, almost, verbatim, what I've been reading.
How am I to interpret these results? I do not believe that
her IQ could be so low. And I still have the issue of her
reading at lower grade level.
In addition, learning disabilities have been diagnosed
within her family.
A: This is quite hard as the
school psychologist has confirmed her IQ. But from your
description, it certainly does not appear to be the case.
Especially, if there are doubts among her teachers and more
importantly her guardian. You also mentioned that this could
be hereditary, which is quite possible.
The best thing to do here is to get a second opinion. You
may want to request the school to test her again using a
different test. If the school is not keen (usually due to
school policies) you may want to see a private educational
psychologist. Until and unless you confirm what the problem
really is, there is not much that can be done within the
school. I'm afraid I am not able to give further advice than
this. Please do get a second opinion.
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