IQ Tests Special Education Verbal or Non-Verbal

Author: JoAnn Collins
Published: 1 Mar 2009 - Updated: 6 May 2018

Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Related Publications

Synopsis: By understanding the difference between verbal and non verbal IQ tests you will be able to ask for the IQ test that will appropriately measure your childs academic ability.

Introduction

Is your child with autism or a learning disability going to be given an IQ test by special education personnel, and are you concerned that the IQ score may not be accurate due to your child's disability?

Main Content

Would you like to know about verbal and non verbal IQ tests to see which one would give an accurate IQ score? This article will discuss verbal IQ tests that are usually given by school psychologist vs. non verbal IQ tests that may more accurately reflect your child's academic ability.

IQ tests are used by psychologists school or private, to determine what a child's cognitive functioning and intelligence are.

The IQ tests used by most school psychologist are based on the child's ability to understand and use language. If a child with a disability has a serious language based disability such as dyslexia, the language based IQ test may not accurately reflect the child's intelligence.

Why is this important?

Because many special education personnel have such low expectations for children with disabilities, that a low IQ score gives them another reason, to not provide needed appropriate special education academic services. The IQ score must be accurate, in order to determine what a child is academically capable of.

The Weschler Intelligence Scale is an IQ test that is often used by school psychologists to determine cognitive ability.

The Weschler Intelligence Scale test not only provides excellent predictors of academic achievement but can also be used to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the child. But children with severe language based disabilities may have very low scores on the Weschlers.

Non-Verbal IQ tests are designed to give a comprehensive, standardized assessment of general intelligence with entirely nonverbal administration and response formats.

Two tests that may be used are:

• The Comprehensive Test of Nonverbal Intelligence (CTONI) - The CTONI states that it is a language free intelligence test that requires no reading, writing, speaking or listening on the child's part. It is designed for children and adults, and can be given to individual children or in small groups in about 15 minutes.
• The Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT) - The UNIT can be used on children from age 5-age 17 is nonverbal and response is done by 8 hand or body gestures. There are three testing options available: Abbreviated, Standard, and Extended batteries. Can be used for deaf and hearing impaired students.

By understanding the difference between verbal and non verbal IQ tests you will be able to ask for the IQ test that will appropriately measure your child's academic ability.

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by JoAnn Collins and published on 1 Mar 2009, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.