Has anyone had achievement test scores far above IQ scores?

[chiguirre]

Okay, I know ds is quirky, but I just got back his Stanford-Binet and Wechsler scores from the school district's 3 yr follow up and they seem a bit odd. His overall IQ score was 52, equivalent to 0.1 percentile. Dh's reaction was surprised amusement and, in my heart of hearts, I don't believe that's an accurate reflection of ds's abilities, but still...

On the Wechsler, he scored 21st percentile in Basic Reading, 5th percentile in Math Calculation, 0.2 percentile in Math Reasoning and 1st percentile in Brief Writing. IMHO, that is more in line with what I've observed, although I think his math calculation score is a bit lower than what I've experienced working with him. Is it possible for these achievement scores to jive with an IQ of 52? Should I question the results and if I do, what should I request they do in regards to testing? I'm inclined to let sleeping dogs lie, because ds will still qualify for his hour of speech per week which is why we did the school district testing. The low IQ score might be very useful as an adult if ds needs support services. Are there any downsides to letting it stand without comment, or should I note the discrepancy between test results when we go to our Service Plan meeting. I do have a chance to informally talk over the results with the school psychologist and diagnostician next week, so I could address the issue then, but should I????

Please give your opinions, I'd really like to look at this from several angles before my teleconference next week.

:confused::confused::confused::confused:

On a positive note, the school psychologist did compliment me on ds's achievement scores and told me that our hsing was fabulous. :D

[Laurie4b]

Congratulations on how well you are doing with him! The reading score is stupendous! Achievement and IQ score are supposed to mesh, but don't always. Environment does have an effect on how innate wiring is expressed. You've done a super job.

He'll have to continue to get IQ tests along the way to qualify for services, so raising the issue or not now is not going to affect things down the line.

[Ottakee]

I would just let the score stand as it will help keep him qualified for services. Then pat yourself on the back for how well he is doing.

My 20ds has an IQ of 55 but has great social skills and is very athletic so he comes across much higher functioning.

My 13dd had her IQ test out at 38 on her last test but she is now reading on a 2nd grade level, writing sentences, etc. Yes, she is impaired but she is doing way more than a child with an IQ of 38 should be doing.

I just file the test results away as when it came time to apply for SSI for my 20ds a few years ago it came in VERY handy. I just made copies of years worth of testing (spanning over 10 years) and he was approved in just a few days.

[Stacy in NJ]

If your ds is HFA the the IQ test probably isn't accurate. I very respected research study was completed in 2007 that indicated the test commonly used to test IQ, the Weschler, was not appropriate for folk on the Autism spectrum. Apparently, it relies to heavily on language skills. There are other more appropriate tests that can provide a more accurate IQ measure for those folks. Here's a link the explains further. http://www.iser.com/resources/autism-iq.html


Another link with information: http://autismbulletin.blogspot.com/2007/08/autistic-kids-score-better-on.html



HTH, Stacy

[chiguirre]

Wow, thanks Stacy! That's just what I needed. I don't think I'll bother requesting another test this time, but if ds ever wanted or needed to attend school, it's good to know there are tests that would more accurately measure his academic abilities.