Thanks, mama2three and Melessa
I think the dilemma when deciding to share an IQ score with a child is that they cannot understand the context and what the testing really means. Older children may be able to understand means and SDs, but they cannot understand the nuanced interpretations of subtests on an IQ test. They cannot grasp that a fine motor deficit, for example, could lower the Full Scale score significantly, or how asynchronous development can affect social judgment, and result in a lower subtest score. They cannot understand that motor speed really isn't THAT important compared to spatial skills (even though it carries equal weight as a score), and that their mood, hunger, and rapport with the psychologist on the day of testing can impact their score.
These are reasons I have been reluctant to share scores with my children. They know they are gifted. They know this does not make them any more special than any other child - just that they learn differently. But I don't plan on telling them their IQ scores.
Gail Post/
www.giftedchallenges.com
