What is the difference between a DI or DQ (developmental index or quotient) and an IQ (intelligence quotient)?
DI, DQ, and IQ each refer to standard scores that are used to compare a child’s functioning to that of a normative group. That is, they compare your child’s performance to the “average” performance of a large group of children of the same age. For each of these scores, the average (mean) is 100 with a standard deviation of 15 points. Over 95% of children in the population on which the test is based are expected to score between 70 and 130, inclusively, on these standardized tests. IQ is an abbreviation for Intelligence Quotient. “Intelligence,” as measured by IQ tests is rather narrowly defined. An IQ is intended as a predictor of the level of abilities a child will need to be successful in school. In the general population this score becomes relatively stable after about four years of age. Children with higher IQs are expected to perform better academically; whereas, low IQs predict academic difficulty. Children with IQs below 70 usually qualify for special educational assistance. An
