I have been diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome when I was 8, and now at the age of 13, am still living with it (as most of you may know, you can't really get rid of it). I recently became very interested in my IQ, so I took an IQ test (one of the online ones, I know it's probably not as accurate), and to my surprise, my IQ was only 122 (Weschler Scale). However, I realized that, as I was taking the test, I did have trouble focusing, and even now as I write this, I have been stopped at least seven times due to an uncontrollable tic. Can Tourette's Syndrome (or ADD, or OCD) affect an IQ test score? Is it possible that my actual IQ is higher?
2006-10-11 17:04:09 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Standards & Testing
The IQ test is a measure (a poor measure) of various things, including focus, concentration, problem-solving, recognition of group relationships, etc. Your Tourette's condition is part of you, so of course it's reflected in your score. (Like popeye said "I yam what I am").
Some cynics suggest that scoring well on an IQ test mostly measures your ability to take IQ tests. Don't let the numbers mean too much to you: it's what you do in life that matters, not how you test.
2006-10-11 17:23:38 · answer #1 · answered by jongilra 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont know the answer to your question but have you seen MTV'S REAL LIFE SHOW "I have Tourrettes"...They will have re runs. Just thought I'd let you know.
And ps. An IQ score of 122 is ABOVE average. The average IQ score is 100 so dont be hard on yourself.
2006-10-11 17:11:30 · answer #2 · answered by Snuz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The online tests are not as good of a representation as the battery of tests the psychologist would administer.
You did nicely though. Mine are anywhere from 115-150s.... Had higher on one, but I used a calculator and drawings and stuff and thought about the answers way longer than a psychologist would ever have allowed!
To answer the original question though...yes, it could affect it.
2006-10-11 17:08:19 · answer #3 · answered by *babydoll* 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably is higher. Yes, anything which affects your ability to concentrate is likely to have a negative effect on your score. (Even your age!)
Kudos on learning to live with this - it's quite a challenge.
And don't let yourself get hung up on the number - unless you hope to join MENSA, no one ever knows/cares what your IQ score is!
2006-10-11 17:09:26 · answer #4 · answered by tigglys 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋