[blindlaw] IQ Testing

[Prevost, Ann Marie]

Hello-

I am an attorney in NYC and the mother of a 4 year old visually impaired/legally blind daughter. She is also a triplet which makes this interesting. I have recently had all three tested for a particular Gifted and Talented program in the City. The results have come in. I am not surprised - however - I am angry. The boys tested within 2 points of each other and will very easily make the cut-off for at least some of the G&T programs in the City. My daughter's score was more than 20 points less then the boys. Yes they supposedly made accommodations - a few enlargements I believe. However the test is geared toward children with vision. No matter how bright she is she has a disadvantage in that she does not receive her information the same way. Maybe when she is older these tests will even out - but as a 4 year old I don't think they can possibly be accurate. If she had been 5 or 10 points behind I wouldn't be so upset - but not 20. 

My daughter is lucky because she is set to go to the public school my older son is already in. However, that is not the point. What upsets me is that we are supposed to accept this score instead of insisting on a test for the visually impaired - which don't seem to exist. Heck, I would like to test all the other children who took the test on the things she knows and does!!!!!! 

What I am more worried about is the future when she needs to take other tests which do not adequately reflect her ability. 

Has anyone had any experience with this? 

I can't thank you all enough. Being on this list serve has been so helpful to me.

Ann Marie Prevost

Ann Marie Prevost
Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
aprevost at sidley.com
212-839-5408


 
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