Question

Who is on the IEP team? Jeff had an educational evaluation that included an IQ test. The test showed that Jeff's tested IQ is 64 and he was labeled as having intellectual disability . As consultants to Jeff's parent. what would you tell them about IQ testing? What concerns would you have about jeff being labeled as having intellectual disabilty with only this IQ test used? Does jeff fit the definiton of intellectual disability? why or Why not ?

Answer 1

• A below 70 IQ indicates intellectual disability. Arranging a face to face meeting wth parents is important and first allow them to ask any questions. Then explaining the parents about the test conducted and results is important. Explaining low IQ to them in simple language and assure them that testing only reflects a rough measure of academic intelligence. The score does not change who the child is and should not be used to define all his abilities. Its important to explain the implications of the score and make parents aware that the child would require some extra service at school and even in the community. Its very important to not give the impression to the parents to treat their child differently and also keeping the results private and not share with anyone which could embarass the child.
• As a psychologist having a low IQ on intelligence test indicates mental retardation which only indicates intellectual disability so its important that these results should not be used to define any abilities/achievements discrepencies of the child. Learning disability does not mean that the child cannot be good in other field.