Full Scale IQ

A Full Scale IQ is worked out by combining scores from several very different skills, such as language, reasoning, memory and speed of working. For many neurodivergent Neurodivergent Neurodivergent means a brain that works in its own way, not the way most people expect. Autistic people, and people with ADHD or dyslexia, are all neurodivergent. Read the full definition of Neurodivergent children those skills are spiky: some far above average Descriptive range The words a report uses to sum up a score, like 'average' or 'extremely low'. Tests draw these bands in their own places, so the same word can mean different scores. Read the full definition of Descriptive range , some far below. When the parts differ that widely, psychologists themselves say the overall number should not be treated as a fair summary of the child, and a good report will say so.

The number still matters in one specific way: services use IQ scores as part of deciding whether a child meets the criteria for a learning disability Learning disability A health term for finding it much harder to learn and to manage everyday tasks, starting in childhood. It is not the same as a learning difficulty at school. Read the full definition of Learning disability , which unlocks particular kinds of support. So do not ignore it, but do not let one number stand in for your child either. If a report gives a Full Scale IQ alongside very uneven index scores, it is fair to ask the assessor how much weight the overall number should carry.