High IQ Test Score and Possible Learning Disabilities
By Inderbir Kaur Sandhu, Ph.D
Q:
My daughter is 4 years 3 months. Her nursery teacher suspected
she is gifted and recommend an IQ test. Her IQ test shows a
score of 120 , her scores was pull down as she scores only 20
percentile for her 'visual image' testing. Thus, the tester
suspected she might have some learning disabilities:
-
How accurate is the IQ test for such a young
age, the tester mention that her actual IQ is usually higher
than her IQ score?
-
Could she has learning disabilities? If yes,
what type? How can I help her?
A:
Her scores show that she indeed has above average IQ.
An IQ test for any age group should be used a guide to
determine strengths and weaknesses so as to improve and develop
an individual's potential to the maximum. It should not be
regarded as a test to label whether or not an individual is
gifted. Accuracy of test scores depend on many factors, most
importantly the credibility of the test itself. Standardized
tests are highly recommended. Having said that, tests measure
only what is being tested in the test and by no means an
absolute indicator of intelligence or a person's future
success. For placement programs, IQ tests appear to be a very
useful indicator of general higher ability to perform in
school. However, as in everything else, there is always
exception to the case. It is hard to say if someone's actual IQ
is higher than what test scores reveal as many factors are
involved here. At best, the scores usually give us a good guide
of actual abilities.
It is highly possible that she may have a learning
disability, especially as indicated in the results.
Unfortunately, I am not able to tell what kind of disability
she may have and you need to seek professional help, preferably
from an educational psychologist specializing in learning
disabilities. You may also want to get her eyes tested.
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