IQ Testing
Formally referred to as “intellectual quotient” tests, IQ tests come in many forms. They can help diagnose intellectual disabilities or measure someone’s intellectual potential. If you’re considering IQ testing, your doctor should be your first point of contact.
French psychologist Alfred Binet created the first intelligence test in the early 1900s. However, modern IQ testing in the United States stems from the work of Henry Herbert Goddard. Goddard was a psychologist who earned his doctorate in psychology from Clark University in 1899. He translated the Binet test from French to English. This test was used to test basic intellectual functions in U.S. school children and to support mental health diagnoses.
How to Get an IQ Test
IQ scores are just one piece of the puzzle. These tests still remain inaccessible to many families. Not all public schools use them. Some families may not have access to a doctor or psychologist who can administer the test. This can lead to missed opportunities for crucial testing — especially during a child’s early years when treatment is vital.
Online IQ tests are available, but you shouldn’t rely on them for a medical diagnosis. If you suspect an intellectual disability in a loved one, don’t wait for your doctor to offer a test. Seek out your options for early testing.