Last post Tue, Apr 29 2008 12:28 AM by KaraSwims. 3 replies.
Hi all,
My son is 15 and we are trying to prepare for his life after high school with learning disabilities. Academically he is several years behind his peers and his IQ ranks as mentally retarded. He is very socially well adjusted and has very high emotional intelligence.
-Are there any official "scales" to measure emotional intelligence? He took an online test and scored in the top 10%.
-Why aren't these types of abilities included in the overall assessment of a child?
-Given his aptitude and strength in interpersonal abilities (he is far evolved over most adults I know), his empathy and compassion for others, what type of career do you think we should try to help steer him to?
-Do you know of colleges that tailor their programs to the learning disabled?
Thanks for any feedback.
http://www.college-scholarships.com/learning_disabilities.htm is a list of colleges that go above and beyond to assist students with learning disabilities. There are several EQ tests; the best way to find out is to find a psychologist in your area who specializes in these issues. I recommend you speak to the school psychologist; he/she should be able to research such a person and make a referral for you. It's true; an IQ test gives you very little information. A more comprehensive battery, including an aptitude test, is likely indicated at this time. More specific I cannot be; I don't know your child. But you do; what is HE interested in doing? His interests should help you to guide him.
My name is Liz,
I am both a school psychologist and I am disabled. I have worked on every level from baby to beyond college. I have not met your son and I do not know what state he is in or program. Emotional age or maturity in comparison to his peers is measured. You have to be careful. I'm assuming that your son is able to pass academic classes either in a self-contained classroom setting, blended classroom setting, or with resourse room support. Emotional Intelligence is measured in several ways. One is called adaptive scales. That compares your son's interactions with adults, with peers, in the community setting, and classroom setting as observed by several people. It is both judgement and interactions. It also measures life function skills. Compared to another teenager, would he be able to handle certain emergencies. If he was asked to do something by a group of boys would he follow or make the right decision. Does he have both male and female friends. What school activities does he participate in?
Here is the snag. The law says if his adaptive functioning is normal than although his IQ places him in the MR range. He is not. Once he scores out. He may not qualify for the benefits and services he needs later in life. I had a women who scored 80 on a performance scale in the IQ section once. CT disability office denied her services. My college lecture service gave this example. There was a man whose parents found him a job in a hotel cleaning. He lived there. He went to the restaurant and ordered the special everyday. His job paid for his room and board. Everyone knew he was a little slow, but no one knew he was retarded. Under the law, he wasn't. He was a fully functioning adult until the hotel had a fire one day. Although he had a bank account, he didn't know how to take out money. He had never been shopping and he didn't know how to cook.
As a school psychologist, especially in a time when people who are capable of living with just a little assistance can be denied it by one report, I know I was very careful. There are now 2-year programs on college campuses for children who have significant learning disabilities or are mentally retarded. At fifteen, I would also look into technical programs. I had a girl who loved cooking and one who loved hair dressing. She didn't become a chef, but she had decent academic skills with support. There are assistants. The positive social skills will allow for the better jobs. Apprentiships are out there.
excellent advice Liz!
I'm Kara, a psychologist-in-training, working in an inpatient psychiatric unit with a variety of children and adolescents of differing levels of functioning. It's an interesting position given my background in advocacy because I've also heard stories like Liz has shared and realize the double edged relationship a "label" can offer.
You definitely have to be cautious interpreting any online test as anything but a fun or informal quiz of skills..they generally aren't standardized, reliable, or used for much of anything beyond some fun. With that said-Liz brought up an interesting point about the cautions we should have with any testing so I'd suggest asking yourself what your son can benefit from further testing. If the benefits outweigh the risks (of possibly losing services) seek out professional services from a psychologist. If you have a teaching hospital in your area, some psych units offer discounted or sliding scale rates. Testing can be expensive and the reports can take some time to get back.
