When can you have your child's I.Q. tested . . .?

Question

The school system is telling me my son has Asperger's. He certainly has some of the characteristics, however, my husband is a tested genius and he also has the same characteristics. He did not speak until he was six, is socially and physically awkward, and processes information in a similar manner. . . The characteristics of both are amazingly similar . . . I am currently treating the social and verbal delay but am hesitant to accept A.S. diagnosis. I think the school has good intentions (and it would certainly be a financial relief to have free therapy) but want to make sure . . . Any thoughts?

P.S. I want to cultivate the genius as well as treat the relevant symptoms . . . I know their are problems but want to incorporate the positives into the treatment.

Answer 1

Hey Charity, I'm trying to pick my brain to remember, but I think they generally don't do an I.Q. test until like 3rd grade? Although I believe that depending on child they can do it even earlier....

Aha! "The WISC is for children ages 6 to 16 and can be taken without reading or writing."

Also, the school system might just diagnose your child so they know where to put him so they can optimize his education. Even if he is currently diagnosed with Aspergers to treat the social developmental delay, he might not keep that diagnosis if he progresses.

Anyways. Good luck and keep on digging for your son!

This doesnt directly deal with your question but I found it interesting anyways. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/08/20/070820fa_fact_page?currentPage=1

Answer 2

You can do an IQ test in preschool. There are specific tests that measure IQ as young as three years old and maybe younger. However I child can have a normal or even above average intelligence and still have A.S. I live near a high tech industry and I think many of the professional engineers etc. likely suffer from many symptoms of A.S. One of the families I use to work with dad was a genius, but the mother/ wife had to prompt and support all her husband's social interactions and remind him to say hello, make eye contact etc. Even if your child has a normal or superior I.Q. but has a disability that is effecting his ability to be successful in school you are still entitled to special services.

Answer 3

Hi. Let me try to help. I'm the mother of two children. One of our children has disabilities...ie: brain lesions from a condition known as Neurofibromatosis or NF1. I, like you, have been given many diagnosis for my child through out the years. Including those in our school system.
My husband (an attorney) and I took our son to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN to have his MRIs and tests all re-done and inter. at the Mayo Clinic. They are the No. 1 Hospital in the World for NEUROLOGY and all associated diagnosis. ie. Aspergers.
Aspergers, like other disorders, has extremes. It is highly possible that one child with Aspergers, has a severe case, while another child may carry the diagnosis of Aspergers, yet be High Functioning. In other words, they may appear "normal" to others at various times, yet still may have the disability but to a lesser extent.
IF you are ready (and only when YOU PERSONALLY AS A MOM ARE READY....do not let anyone try to pursud you otherwise) have your child tested by an OUTSIDE source. Then when the results come in...it will be YOUR decision whether to share this information with the school system. There are pros and cons to this.
PROS: You receive tons of assistance for your child that will be included on his IEP. (IEP=Individual Education Plan)
He would be entitled to things such as OT (Occupational Therapy) and PT (Physicial Therapy) and ST (Speech Therapy). He would also be provided with things like "books on tape"; computer programs; books at home that he uses in school; notes from the teachers-instead of him trying to take notes during class etc.
As well as an Individualize Education Plan that would make learning easier for him.

I'm not sure what age your child is....however, in elementary and middle school, the pros definately outweigh any negatives.

I wish you all the best in making this heart-felt decision. Any psychologist in your area would be able to test your child and give you a definative diagnosis.

Many blessings, Patti

Answer 4

IQ tests can be preformed to preschool aged children, but they usually aren't given until about 2nd grade because very early tests are not considerably accurate.

If you want an IQ test preformed talk to your school psychologist, they are licensed to preform them. If your son is gifted that will added to his IEP and then the school can provide services for his combination of special needs.

It is very possible that your son has Asperger's and a high IQ, it happens a lot. It is also very common that children with Asperger's have a topic or two that they become very interested in, for example, I knew a young boy with Asperger's who loved dinosaurs and knew a lot about dinosaurs (more than most adults). Asperger's affects one's social skills, IQ is not a part of the diagnosis.

Answer 5

How does the school know he has aspergers? Did they do an evaluation to detemine this? They didn't because schools can NOT diagnose anything other than learning disabilities.

Please don't trust the school for anything. Schools will not help your child UNLESS he has an IEP or 504 plan. They might 'say' they will, but are not legally required to without 504 or IEP.

Even if your child does have IEP or 504 to get help from school, special ed in public schools are corrupt all across the USA.

It's best to get help outside of the school system.

Answer 6

sounds like your husband has aspegers.

do not wait. therapy is best when starting early. services via public school are free.

denying reality will not make it not true. my dd has severe autism. for more info on the disorder go to www.nichcy.org see the fact sheet on aspergers.


having the dc an help get free therapy. autism is now an epidemic worldwide not just in the usa.
http://www.nichcy.org/resources/asperger.asp

Answer 7

The school should not be diagnosising your child, a doctor must do that.