Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Level 4 gifted but average IQ ???

Hello everyone! Well, now I'm just completely confused! A few weeks ago had DS, age 11, tested on SBV and his IQ came out average. We had him tested because his two younger siblings both tested exceptionally gifted, and after reading all I could about giftedness, I was absolutely convinced that DS was probably even higher than his two sisters! Wow, was I wrong!!! According to the developmental checklist on Dr. Ruf's 5 Levels of Giftedness, DS was right on with level 4. Since birth, he has displayed characteristics way beyond his two siblings...And I have read that siblings are usually about 10 points within IQ points of each other...He's not even close! How can this be??!!?? Haven't had the chance to talk with the psychologist yet. I was such a huge fan of the 5 levels but now I'm not so sure. I was completely blindsighted! Any insight here??? Thanks much~

Personally, I'd have him tested again using a different test and a new tester. That's just me, and I'm not sure that's the right answer, but I know that's what I'd do. To me, it's the only way to know for sure that wasn't just an "off" day. Was your ds distracted during the test? Did he have adequate rest and food? Did he score "average" results on all ares of the test? From what I've learned some gifted children are quie asynchronous: very high in one area but average in all others. For example, there was a big difference between my son's verbal (very high) and nonverbal scores on the SB-V.

I agree with JenSMP.....from what I have read parents are usually right about thinking there child is gifted. And if he really seems to fit the level 4, you would expect him to test at least somewhat gifted....Some kids don't test well, or some highly gifted children will refuse to answer questions that they think are too easy....also at 11, I am wondering if he has learned to "hide" his giftedness for school to fit in. Has learned how to answer what is expected of "average" so as to not stand out and to fit in..... Many kids do this, and in a testing situation he could have put on his "school" hat. KWIM? Maybe talk to the psych and see if her description of your son matches yours. I bet it won't and you will see a completely different pic of your child....his school self maybe. I would look for a tester who specializes in gifted. HUGS

What IQ test were your other two children tested on? Although they are all supposed to correlate relatively well, my younger dd tested on two occassions as follows:

WISC-IV: 148
WISC-IV: 127
SB-5: 119

I don't know what to make of my kiddo's erraticness, but she certianly did "better" on the WISC-IV both times and I'm not sure that you can compare scores across the board btwn those two tests.

Good question
I'm struggling with the same thing with my 3rd child, dd4 1/2.

SHe is so intense, so sensitive, all the gifted signs. Started reading at 3, doing math, etc, etc.

We had her tested at age 4 with the Nagieri (sp?)non verbal test to do early entrance to K. She only tested 104!! The testers were not skilled in gifted (some being trained that morning to admin the test.)
Then a few months ago had the school psych test her on WPPSI for early entrance again. This school does test for gifted since they have a FT gifted program but also a lot of spec. needs kids. So my DD4 only scored 114. The tester noted she was yawning, laying her head on table during test etc.

So what to do?? My older two kids are 2sd's higher than were this dd placed. Is that common?? I hate to throw money at another test but really would like to get her into K yet this year. I was thinking of SB5?

She missed cutoff to K by 3 weeks so this really stinks that I couldn't get her in.

Thanks
R

Hi Carolyn,

I just asked Dr. Ruf that very question on a webinar the other night. She claimed the correlation between IQ and LOG is common but not foolproof. My DD10 exhibits almost all Level Four behaviors but her GAI was 137 when she was tested at age 6. Dr. Ruf simply said that testing is probably not her strongest suit and to give credence to the LOG. PM me if you want

Any one piece of data can be off. If the 5 levels are there, and the siblings are there, then don't put too much though into the test. But do as the Psychologist if they suspect any problems are causing the low score.

Best Wishes,
Grinity

Our DS6 did the same thing...we had a very good feeling that he was gifted for quite some time so we took him to get assessed when he was 5 with the SB - he scored a 129 and I was really surprised - the assessor said that she could see where his OE's and dyspraxia played into lowering his score and she suggested testing using a different test that didn't call his dyspraxia issues into play (block building, spatial awareness)....we then used the Weschler preschool test - he did horribly -he refused to finish the test.....we waited a year and then found an assessor who had experience testing gifted kids with dyspraxia and we used the RIAS - he scored a 145 and we finally felt confident that we got to see a good idea as to where he was. She also gave him the woodcock johnson achievement and it showed he was several grade levels ahead in reading/math....so as Grinity stated "any one pieve of data can be off". Trust your gut :-)

Was this the only IQ test that the had? Could there be anything going on that interfered with the testing?

I'm probably no help, but I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone. My DS11 was easily a level 2-3 LOG up until he started school and then we were completely floored when he got a 106 on the WISC-IV. Since then his sister has tested 3sd's above this and my other son has tested almost 2sd's above this. We were so floored by our DS11's results that it kind of threw us for a loop of self-questioning that only now, four years later, are we looking into it further. But, one thing that I've learned on this board is that you know your child and that you have to trust that.