Improving IQ measurement in intellectual disabilities using true deviation from population norms.
BACKGROUND
Intellectual disability (ID) is characterized by global cognitive deficits, yet the very IQ tests used to assess ID have limited range and precision in this population, especially for more impaired individuals.


METHODS
We describe the development and validation of a method of raw z-score transformation (based on general population norms) that ameliorates floor effects and improves the precision of IQ measurement in ID using the Stanford Binet 5 (SB5) in fragile X syndrome (FXS; n = 106), the leading inherited cause of ID, and in individuals with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 205). We compared the distributional characteristics and Q-Q plots from the standardized scores with the deviation z-scores. Additionally, we examined the relationship between both scoring methods and multiple criterion measures.


RESULTS
We found evidence that substantial and meaningful variation in cognitive ability on standardized IQ tests among individuals with ID is lost when converting raw scores to standardized scaled, index and IQ scores. Use of the deviation z- score method rectifies this problem, and accounts for significant additional variance in criterion validation measures, above and beyond the usual IQ scores. Additionally, individual and group-level cognitive strengths and weaknesses are recovered using deviation scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Traditional methods for generating IQ scores in lower functioning individuals with ID are inaccurate and inadequate, leading to erroneously flat profiles. However assessment of cognitive abilities is substantially improved by measuring true deviation in performance from standardization sample norms. This work has important implications for standardized test development, clinical assessment, and research for which IQ is an important measure of interest in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and other forms of cognitive impairment.
Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
Stephanie M
SM
Sansone
Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Andrea
A
Schneider
Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
Erika
E
Bickel
Departments of Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Elizabeth
E
Berry-Kravis
Departments of Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Christina
C
Prescott
Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA ; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
David
D
Hessl
Autism spectrum disorder; Cognitive assessment; Fragile X syndrome; IQ; Intellectual disability