Hi Sue,
I didn’t know if you would read my response in the other thread.
The resource room teacher said that we should request to put the former IQ in his records, which we did. I didn’t think to ask about having her opinion stated as well - I did get the impression that she didn’t want to get in a “fight” with the psych. She did firmly disagree with him though. She asked him how this could be possible. He told her that she would see my son’s scores “go down hill”.
I have been researching low IQ’s, and I can’t understand how a child with a 75 IQ can be reading a 4th grade level (he is in the 3rd grade) and only be 6 months behind in math (these are his achievement test scores). According to to what I have read on low IQ’s, he would be years behind NOW. What do you think? Have you ever taught child with a 75 IQ?
I am very afraid of what is happening.
The only comments the psych said was that he could not retest him, because that would be teaching the test. He also said that my son’s focus and motivation could have affected the scores. He did say that when it was lunch time, my son wanted to go and did.
One day I had a smart child with a possible learning disability (as I discussed with the resource room teacher) and then the next day I have a borderline mentally retarded child. Does this happen???
Any imput would be greatly appreciated.
Lisa
With a head injury or severe depression or change in meds, it **could** happen.
However, the much simpler answer here is that, in fact, that test is invalid. It really sounds like the only “sign” of borderline abilities is that one test, and there are ample signs and evidence stating otherwise.
The psych is right, to re-do the test would be equally invalid. However, the psych is wrong if s/he thinks that test is valid.
I have worked with a student with a low IQ who had all kinds of intensive interventions, so wasn’t very far behind at all on those test scores. One of the few actual “parent in denial” cases I’ve known; psychs seem to jump to the “you’re in denial” ship awfully easy.
I’ve also worked with a student or two with *test scores* in the 80-90 range… but half an hour with them and I knew better. The reasoning, logic, memory, and just ability to deal with thinking about stuff said otherwise.
If you don’t want to put that teacher on the spot, put your own notes in there that include his skill levels and any hobbies or behaviors that basically, you can’t imagine an MR kiddo being able to do.
Then I’d look for an independent evaluator because this one has a closed mind. There are other tests besides the WISC, too.
I’m not sure of the procedures for getting the school to ante up for an independent eval. but it can be done.