Speaking of IQ tests...Re: Apraxia and Slow Processing

[Guest guest]

First of all, not all tests are created equal. If a test requires

good language skills and you don't have them, you will get mark

down. My son had one test that required him to label pictures

verbally. He was marked wrong on one that was a woman (I think lady

might also have been acceptable as an answer) because he said " ma " .

At the time, that was his word for all woman because it was a sound

he could make.

Secondly, if there is a delay in receptive language, it can be a sign

of a cognitive problem OR it could be a sign of an auditory issue.

My son did so poorly on his EI evaluation at 2-3/4 age that they

wanted to place him in a self-contained (all special ed) preschool

class. I pushed for and received placement in an integrated

environment instead. With that program, plus speech, OT, and

hippotherapy, plus biomedical intervention (fish oil, enzymes, diet,

etc.), he tested as " superior " on a mainstream IQ test. And that was

before we identified his milk intolerance and auditory processing

issues, and before we started working on a program from NACD.

And let's not forget how badly kids do on tests if they're in a bad

mood, didn't sleep well, haven't eaten, are getting a cold, etc.

They don't cope and work through it like adults, because they are not

results-oriented like we are.

Many people will tell you that IQ tests are " objective " and the

results are " static " , but when it comes to young children, I have BIG

doubts about that. A child with delays may catch up, and when they

do, all of their skills may move up a notch or two or three.

Both of my nieces have been saddled by low IQ numbers, which the

school district has attempted to use to keep them in a more

restricted environment than they need and to dumb-down their

curriculum. My sister finally liberated my one niece from the self-

contained classroom by hiring a lawyer. (She didn't have to sue,

though. He came to one meeting, and the school caved to nearly every

demand.) And she's doing great! She doesn't have straight A's, but

she does get some A's and lots and lots of B's, with a few C's thrown

in every once in awhile. Sounds pretty darn average to me.

My advice to you is to completely ignore that number. Tests do not

always reflect reality, and it does nothing for your child except

limit everybody's expectations. It doesn't guide her education and

it doesn't identify specific issues to work on. It's useless. I

always assume that all of my children are geniuses, and that some

have an easier time showing it off. If you expect more, you will get

more. You know better than any test what your daughter can do.

in NJ

>

> We finally had our appointment with our 7 year old daughter today

and got our official diagnosis today of dyspraxia, (obviously

apraxia of speech as well which we have known since age 3) but one

thing that came up that must have passed me by in all the early

testing was that she has an IQ of 70. Even thought I must have read

it back in 2006 when they tested her, it apparently never sunk in to

me. I am dumbfounded. I am certain her intelligence is not below

average. She has amazing problem solving skills and although she has

to work a heck of a lot harder at some things she has never shown to

be lacking in intelligence. Is this just a skewed test for our kids?

>

> Barbara

> Re:[ ] Re: Apraxia and Slow Processing

>

>

> Well said Janice! Thanks for being there as another " old timer " !!

> And you are right - Forrest Gump as a movie is a great example of

a

> mother's belief in her child. " Run Forrest Run! "

>

> My " old timer " favorite of course is Helen Keller -and her story

is a

> testimony to teachers as well.

> " Helen's key achievement the one she craved most of all was

learning

> how to speak " Learn how she did and learn how she says

> (oh this is so profound isn't it)

> " I am not dumb now "

> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uBlIDp9CWY

>

> =====

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

When our son was tested by a neuropsychotherapist she refused to give a

" total "

score because she knew the score would not reflect our son true ability.

What she did was give 3 scores, one for each section of the test. (I think

it was verbal, ? , and speed or something like that.) He scored at around

70-79 verbally but was above average for the other sections- again very

reflective of many of the children written about on this site. What was

wonderful was that she wrote this out so that we could address his needs

with his limited speech-language and helped create a plan to help other

doctors and teachers to work with our son. She made it very clear that his

intelligence (nor ours) was in question.

Rose

On Feb 4, 2008 8:47 PM, ilizzy03 <lizlaw@...> wrote:

> IQ tests are notoriously unreliable and poorly reflective of ability.

> Many a misundertood child has excelled on these tests at a later date

> for a variety of reasons like prior bad test, allergy or other

> physical impairment affecting the test taking, etc. Do not lose sleep

> over this. Address the dyspraxia and her physical wellbeing and when

> you think it is time if you need it for yourself, get her retested. I

> have no doubt she is above average...just like her mom. Also, if she

> has crossing the midline issues, crossed the wrong way, etc. The

> brain signals from each side may short circuit in a way that makes

> her look less intelligent on a test than she actually is. Forgive me

> as that was the worst explanation ever but I am sure Janice or

> someone clearly brighter than me can clean that up in a way that

> makes more sense.

>

>

> >

> > We finally had our appointment with our 7 year old daughter today

> and got our official diagnosis today of dyspraxia, (obviously

> apraxia of speech as well which we have known since age 3) but one

> thing that came up that must have passed me by in all the early

> testing was that she has an IQ of 70. Even thought I must have read

> it back in 2006 when they tested her, it apparently never sunk in to

> me. I am dumbfounded. I am certain her intelligence is not below

> average. She has amazing problem solving skills and although she has

> to work a heck of a lot harder at some things she has never shown to

> be lacking in intelligence. Is this just a skewed test for our kids?

> >

> > Barbara

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Liz

I have been a bit of a lurker on this site for about 5 years now with very

occasional posts. I have followed advice offered when I felt it was appropriate

for my daughter and been very grateful for all the research and practical

investigation shared on this site. We have never seen any difference in Tabitha

( just turned 8) on fish oils but we have just started GFCF diet and are

starting again with the supplements so far with little effect but its early

days. But your description of your son could have been me describing Tabi " less

intellcetual horse power " , " in there but not enough of him coming out " and it

would be great if at some time you could " bore me with the details " to make sure

I´m not missing anything crucial!

Many thanks Jane

@...: lizlaw@...: Tue, 5

Feb 2008 13:20:51 +0000Subject: [ ] Speaking of IQ tests...Re:

Apraxia and Slow Processing

If it makes you feel better I offer you this: my son is, more like was, some

sort of hybrid between apraxia and autism but never fit each category

completely. Too much eye contact allegedly for autism (unconvincing to many

autism moms I assure you), no echolicia, early reading, etc. He did cling to us

and was not happy even with us but we were often the least objectionable

alternative. He has been obsessed with music in the past. He also played with

water a lot (mostly during what can best be described as accidental detox).

Beyond that he banged his head on 6 occasions but all seemed to be related to

teething. As for apraxic symptoms, he had, shall we say, less intellectual

horsepower than what I have read about apraxics. Nearly a year ago his receptive

language skills were assessed at 37/100. I do not doubt that score. He was able

to imitate at times which as I understand it, is inconsistent with apraxia. Not

sound but movement. He had low tone, failed to cross the midline, and cried A

LOT. I struggled over whether he was low functioning autism but the thing was,

his skills made peekaboo appearances (only no do I see that it was related to

varying levels of allergen exposure) and I can't explain it better than this: he

was in there and not enough of him was coming out.9 months ago after having gut

stuff myself it dawned on me that my boy likely had undiagnosed GERD as a baby

likely due to milk allergy. There is more but I will not bore you with the

details. The point is, 9 months later, on almost the right diet and almost the

right supplements (a mother's work is truly never done) it is clear physical

suffering, and lots of it, was preventing my boy from getting out of the gate.

He is out now, and not even fully, and I assure you, he has better receptive

skills than most intelligent adults I know (aside from gut and allergy stuff my

boy needed glasses which likely helped this as well). He is actually getting

assessed by his new therapist. If she formally addresses receptive skills I will

let you know the updated score. I am not worried.The point is, you know what you

are seeing. Your child is intelligent and the tests are imperfect. In my case it

was not the test but other issues. In your case it is likely the test. Do not

get hung up on that #. Easier said than done I know. >> We finally had our appointment with our 7 year old daughter today and

got our official diagnosis today of dyspraxia, (obviously apraxia of speech as

well which we have known since age 3) but one thing that came up that must have

passed me by in all the early testing was that she has an IQ of 70. Even thought

I must have read it back in 2006 when they tested her, it apparently never sunk

in to me. I am dumbfounded. I am certain her intelligence is not below average.

She has amazing problem solving skills and although she has to work a heck of a

lot harder at some things she has never shown to be lacking in intelligence. Is

this just a skewed test for our kids?> > Barbara

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[Guest guest]

That is so good to know!!! I'm not going to focus on the number right now, but

instead just file in the back of my mind. It will be interesting when she is

retested.

Re:[ ] Re: Apraxia and Slow Processing

> >

> >

> > Well said Janice! Thanks for being there as another " old timer " !!

> > And you are right - Forrest Gump as a movie is a great example of

> a

> > mother's belief in her child. " Run Forrest Run! "

> >

> > My " old timer " favorite of course is Helen Keller -and her story

> is a

> > testimony to teachers as well.

> > " Helen's key achievement the one she craved most of all was

> learning

> > how to speak " Learn how she did and learn how she says

> > (oh this is so profound isn't it)

> > " I am not dumb now "

> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uBlIDp9CWY

> >

> > =====

> >