HELP - sibling similarities in IQ?

[Anonymous]

I'm going to throw out numbers here because I need input from other parents about whether this is normal and to be expected, or whether I should consider further action.

Child 1 scored a 148 full scale IQ, with a GAI of 156. GAI calculated because he had a substantially lower processing speed.

Child 2 scored a 135 full scale IQ. His processing speed was also his weakest area but no GAI calculated because it was not as substantial a difference.

Is it normal to have such a significant variation between sibling IQ scores? Right now, I really, really care about this because Child 2 needs to meet a threshold number of 140 to be admitted to a certain program (not in DC area). Child 2 had three nights of poor sleep before the test - like awake 2-3 hours after bedtime for those nights before the test, and then slept until 10:30 the day after the test (the kid is usually up by 7 at the latest).

I'm worried Child 2 did not score as well as he could have, but if I hear from several of you that such a significant variation is not unusual, I may just accept it for what it is and move on. This sucks, though, as the program is awesome and Child 2 would love to be part of it. I am super sad for him.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Admit it, you smoked and drank up a storm during the second pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is normal to have children with varying IQs.

[Anonymous]

Is this a serious question? Of course there are variations among siblings. One of mine is "superior" and the other is "average." Just normal variation. Both kids got same enrichment, but from the start, they have been very different in how quickly they get things.

[Anonymous]

Is this a real question? Of course there is variation in IQ among siblings. You'd be better off asking if there's any benefit to getting your child tested again. (I don't know the answer to that.)

[Anonymous]

OP here: yes, it's a real question. From what I've read from actual studies done on the subject, the majority of sibs test within 10 points of one another. Ours did not, and the child with the lower score performed lower than expected based on previous assessment information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Admit it, you smoked and drank up a storm during the second pregnancy.

OP here: I wish. (Sort of.)

[Anonymous]

My younger son has iq above 130. Don't know exactly what number, just that he is above 130 and that qualified him for gifted program.

My other son has 99 iq. His GAI was 115. He has adhd.

[Anonymous]

I'm worried Child 2 did not score as well as he could have, but if I hear from several of you that such a significant variation is not unusual, I may just accept it for what it is and move on. This sucks, though, as the program is awesome and Child 2 would love to be part of it. I am super sad for him.

Not trying to be snarky, but why are you worried? Is it because he is not getting into the program or is it because you feel there may be a particular reason he did not score as high? I too have read that many siblings have are within a 10pt range on IQ scores. But they are just 13pts apart, which does not seem that unusual. I have also read that 1st born children tend to have higher IQ scores (which is not the case with my own children).

[Anonymous]

Kids have different fathers.

[Anonymous]

Not trying to be snarky, but you are "sad" about an FSIQ of 135!!!

[Anonymous]

I was friends with a girl growing up who was very smart. Her sister is mentally retarded. Of COURSE kids can have different IQs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to be snarky, but you are "sad" about an FSIQ of 135!!!

+1
I'm sorry that one of your children is not as gifted as the other. Try not to let the younger one know that you love the older one more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: yes, it's a real question. From what I've read from actual studies done on the subject, the majority of sibs test within 10 points of one another. Ours did not, and the child with the lower score performed lower than expected based on previous assessment information.

Your children are only 13 points apart. That is hardly a large discrepancy and within the normal variance. One is in the 99th percentile and one is in the 99.9th percentile. If you look at it that way, they are quite close.

[Anonymous]

1. IQ scores are kind of bs for kids
2. of course there can be a difference in intelligence among/between siblings
3. Some kids test better than others
4. Who really cares?