IQ Testing in McLean, VA—Fairfax Psychological Testing and Assessment
Thriveworks McLean has IQ testing services available, both in-person and online. If you think that you or your child might have an intellectual disability, a member of our team can conduct this assessment, offer diagnosis, and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan.
If you’re interested in scheduling IQ testing or another form of psychological testing at Thriveworks McLean, you can reach our office at (571) 589-4042. Our scheduling team will assist you with setting up your in-office or online appointment. Either way, our psychologists are happy to help and provide you with these services.
What Is IQ Testing? How Does It Work?
IQ testing, or intellectual quotient testing, is used to measure an individual’s intellectual potential and can help diagnose intellectual disabilities. “Intelligence testing generally works by having a client answer questions and solve puzzles of several different types,” says Sean Hayes PsyD of Thriveworks Counseling in Sterling, VA. “These different types of tasks look at different kinds of intelligence like memory, processing speed, or ability to understand abstract ideas. We compare the results to many other people who have done the same tasks before and find out how far above or below those clients are from the averages of the people we already tested. From there we can find out how high or low they are on different types of intelligences. What we call an ‘IQ score’ is generally a combination of those different types of intelligence.”
An average IQ score is 100, while IQ scores that fall below 100 are considered to be below average—scores that dip below 70 are typically cause for concern and may indicate a learning disability. Additionally, scores that exceed 100 are considered high intelligence, and scores 130 and above are considered extreme intelligence. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Development, those diagnosed with an intellectual disability often receive scores between 55 and 70.
If your child receives a low score on the IQ test, their Thriveworks provider might order additional testing including a mental health screening and/or blood tests, adaptive skills screening, etc. Rest assured, they will guide you throughout this process from start to finish and offer guidance as well as support along the way.
What Is an Intellectual Disability?
Intellectual disabilities are characterized by limited intellectual functioning—in the reasoning, learning, and/or problem solving capacity—as well as in adaptive behavior, which impacts everyday skills. These disabilities develop in early age, before 18 years. IQ testing is used to measure one’s level of intellectual functioning, which enables one to learn, problem-solve, and make everyday decisions. The test score your child receives, as explained above, might signify an intellectual disability. Other tests then can test for potential problems with one’s adaptive behavior, which is responsible for the following skills:
- Conceptual Skills: Our conceptual skills enable us to grasp number concepts including money and time. These skills also fuel language and literacy.
- Practical Skills: Our practical skills allow us to perform day to day tasks and activities, such as using a phone, performing self-care, and traveling.
- Social Skills: Our social skills, or our interpersonal skills, allow us to communicate with others, develop self-esteem, and follow rules.
If your child appears to have an intellectual disability, which is confirmed by testing, the mental health professionals at Thriveworks McLean will develop a treatment plan that is tailored to support their unique needs. We will work to enhance their functioning and help them achieve happy, successful living in their own way.
Schedule IQ Testing at Thriveworks McLean, VA
Here at Thriveworks Mclean, we strive to help our clients live better. IQ testing allows us to better understand one’s intellectual capacity, which can then inform treatment if there is an intellectual disability present. In these instances, our mental health professionals are fully equipped to determine a plan and way forward.
We are able to conduct IQ testing and other assessments both in-person and online. We understand that online services are oftentimes more convenient and so we want our clients to have that option available to them. However, if we do need you or your child to come in for further assessment, we can discuss that.
Scheduling your appointment for IQ testing (or another form of psychological testing) is simple. Just call (571) 589-4042 and a scheduling specialist will assist you. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you soon!
