Those IQ Tests Were Wrong!
Tuesday February 21, 2006
In not very surprising news, it turns out that standard IQ tests are lousy tools for measuring the intelligence of autistic individuals. In fact, say researchers presenting at conference sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, standard IQ tests may lower our kids' scores by 30 IQ points or more.
A Reuters article, entitled Bright Autistic Kids Misunderstood, lays out all the details. Among other points, it states that a particular IQ test, called the Raven Progressive Matrices, is a far better tool than the usual Wechsler or Vineland IQ tests.
Interested in learning more? You can read the actual poster presentation online. It's called The Nature of Autistic Intelligence, and its well worth a quick read. It may offer parents a very useful tool for improving their children's educational options.
Comments
Vineland is utilized as an observational measure of adaptive behaviors not IQ test. It is considered to be effective in assessing the developmental level of a child and if there are deficits especially in the social and communication domains for children with autism.
The Wechsler scales have a similar subtest within it that is like the Raven. A good clinician should weigh all the subtests and behavioral observations to validate whether it is an accurate measure of a person’s overall intelligence. In addition, there are many components in the Wechsler scales that measure a broad range of abilities that are associated with school performance. A child with Autism that scores low on an IQ test might likely have difficulty in school and should have enhanced supports to bring up their performance to grade level. A high score in one area of intelligence is unfortunately not what our society requires in today’s educational and employment arenas. Just some thoughts.