[SkiTCC]

My husband and I are considering adopting a little girl with special needs. As a result of a medical condition, tests indicate that she has a borderline IQ (low 70s). I've looked everywhere, but am having a hard time finding any kind of information that would give us an idea of what type of difficulties she might have in life. We're trying to find out how severe her learning disabilities/developmental delays might be.

Can anyone offer me some insight or advice on where to find this type of information? We will have a doctor review the case once the file is translated, but were hoping to get a general idea and/or find some relevant reading in the meantime.

[ajjhmf]

It's very very hard to get an accurate IQ score on a child in care. Their life is chaotic and it's likely there are wholes in her educatio

That said, an important question to ask is her average IQ borderline or just a portion of it. A true IQ score is actually a measurement of 6 different areas. My son has scores ranging from 73 to 112, averagingin the 80s. His learning depends upon the subject, how it is taught and how he is asked to recall it. It's really quite a challenge for us and his teachers.

As for general delays, neuropsych evaluation we had done in the fall showed us that our son would continue to fall further and further behind his classmates as he ages. But, some kids catch up. It really all depends on the whys and what fors of their particular challenges. You need to be prepared for all possibilities though.

[Nevada Jen]

I don't put a lot of trust in IQ scores either. I really am not sure they mean much. My daughter had a 78 when she was 3. When she was 6 she had a 48. At 6 she was reading sight words, sounding out simple words, recognized what road signs meant. That should not be possible with a 46 IQ. And this is my bio child who had every advantage we could give her in life. My sisters IQ and mine are the same. I think people who knew me would say that i was one of the smartest lawyers they have ever met. My sister finds being a waitress mentally taxing. Yes, I know how that sounds but I wanted to give you an idea of the huge difference between in the same IQ.

Assuming a 70 IQ is accurate for the child you are considering adopting and the child is toddler or preschool aged, you can expect that a 70 IQ will be able to achieve functional reading by junior high. Meaning signs, picture books, maybe what you would expect an average 2nd grader to read. She may not get much more advanced than that but that's certainly good enough to function in society. You could expect basic math skills good enough to function but maybe not good enough to figure out a tip on a resteraunt tab until high school age. With no other issues, a 70 IQ should be able to live semi-independantly as an adult if that's what you work towards. They would most likely be in a regular education class room with resource room pull outs. At least until junior high, their friends would likely have normal IQ's and they would not seem socially any different than their peers (assuming IQ is the only issue).

I hope that helps a little. I could write a book on this if you let me. IQ score have always fascinated me.

[SkiTCC]

Thanks for sharing your stories. They really do help give me an idea of what the number means/doesn't mean. At least now I know that I have to look deeper.

[marythemom]

We've been told our kids had borderline IQs, but over time and with more testing that has actually changed often.

Our daughter was 11 when she was placed with us. She refused to cooperate with the testing the psychologist gave during her first psych eval with us so they gave her a borderline IQ. Later testing with someone who knew her well showed she has an average IQ overall, but has learning disabilities and her abilities are directly effected by the major traumas she's experienced in her life and is dealing with at the moment of testing.

When we first got her she was working on a 2nd grade level until we got her on meds for her ADHD when she jumped up to a 4th grade level (she was in 5th grade).

In 7th grade she was working on a 5th grade level, unless she was stressed (which is almost all the time) then she can only work on a 2nd grade level! She has difficulty reading and understanding abstract concepts. Makes figuring out what she needs very difficulty.

I found the numbers to be pretty useless except to help her qualify for services.

Know that the numbers don't predict much especially if they are tested during times of "stress."