Understanding the IQ of Individuals Struggling with Basic Math and Reading Skills

It's challenging to provide a precise average IQ for someone who struggles with basic math and reading skills because intelligence is a complex trait influenced by various factors beyond just cognitive abilities. Additionally, IQ tests may not always accurately measure a person's intelligence, especially if they have specific learning disabilities or other factors impacting their performance.

Factors Affecting IQ Scores

Individuals who struggle with basic math and reading skills might have IQ scores that vary widely. Some may have IQ scores within the average range (around 90–110), while others may score below or above this range. It's important to remember that IQ is not the sole determinant of academic or cognitive abilities, and many other factors contribute to a person's overall functioning and success in different areas of life.

One possible range for IQ scores of individuals who struggle with basic math and reading skills could be between 70 and 90. However, it's important to consider that this range could be influenced by other factors, such as attention deficiency, dyslexia, or other conditions. These factors do not necessarily lower their IQ but can impact their performance on tests and learning processes.

IQ and Specific Learning Disabilities

Learnings disabilities, such as dyslexia, can affect a person's ability to read and process information, but they do not necessarily impact their overall intelligence. A person with dyslexia might have a lower IQ score on a standard IQ test but can still have other strengths that compensate for their reading struggles. Similarly, attention deficit disorder (ADD) can affect a person's focus and attention, which might impact their performance on IQ tests, but it doesn't define their intelligence.

Mathematical Intelligence and IQ

Math is an excellent indicator of intelligence. You can estimate someone’s level of intelligence from the highest level of mathematics they have studied and passed. Math has the great advantage as an indicator of intelligence in that it exists over a very broad range of increasing difficulty from arithmetic to theoretical math at the graduate level. US Employment Service data showed that the mean IQ for mathematicians was 143, which is almost 3 SD above the mean. This suggests that individuals who excel in math are often at the higher end of the IQ spectrum.

It's important to note that math is not used on IQ tests. The reason for this is that IQ tests are designed to measure intelligence, not education. While some numerical and arithmetic items are included in certain IQ tests, these do not display the increasing demands of higher-level math that are made on working memory capacity and mental speed. As a result, math performance on these tests may not accurately reflect a person's true mathematical ability.

Reading Comprehension and IQ

Reading comprehension is another critical factor when it comes to intelligence. The threshold for reading comprehension is observed around an IQ of 88. Research by Charles Murray suggests that while teaching can improve the academic performance of students in the lower half of the intelligence distribution, it is limited by the ceiling effect. For example, a student with a high IQ (135) might still underperform in reading, but a student with a lower IQ (100) might make significant progress.

In his article, Charles Murray writes, "Our ability to improve the academic accomplishment of students in the lower half of the distribution of intelligence is severely limited. It is a matter of ceilings."

Murray's research highlights that even if a student with a low IQ (88) becomes functionally literate, they will still be confined to jobs that require minimal reading skills. This limitation is not due to a lack of teaching but to their inherent cognitive abilities.

Can Intelligence Be Raised?

There is no known method to definitively raise intelligence. While education and learning can certainly improve skills and knowledge, they do not necessarily increase a person's base intelligence. Research indicates that the ceiling effect is a significant challenge in improving academic performance for those in the lower half of the intelligence distribution.

Despite the challenges, it's important to focus on the strengths and compensatory strategies of individuals who struggle with basic math and reading skills. By acknowledging and addressing these factors, we can better support their overall development and success in various aspects of life.

Conclusion

Understanding the IQ of individuals who struggle with basic math and reading skills requires a nuanced approach. IQ scores can provide insight, but they are just one piece of the puzzle. Other factors, such as learning disabilities, attention disorders, and individual strengths, play crucial roles in a person's overall functioning and success.

By recognizing the complexity of intelligence and the diverse ways it can be expressed, we can better support and educate these individuals. This understanding not only benefits the individual but also contributes to a more inclusive and effective educational environment.