Intellectual Testing and deafness

When reviewing the performance data compiled on individual who are deaf, it is wise to view the
findings in light of the following questions (): Is the sample representative of individuals who are
deaf? Does the sample include individuals who have additional unidentified disabilities? Do
these taking the evaluation understand the directions and the questions? Due to the
ramifications of deafness, do the items hold a different meaning based on experiental
deprivation or different opportunities to learn the material?
When reviewing the literature on the intellectual functioning of individuals who are deaf
with no secondary disabilities () and comparing the data collected on individuals who can hear,
the research findings consistently reveal that the IQ distribution between those who are deaf
and those who can hear is nearly identical (). .() have reported similar findings based on a
longitudinal study of Canadian High School students who are deaf with nonsyndromic,
hereditary deafness. The result of their study revealed that the IQs of the students who were
deaf were equal to or higher than those of their peers who could hear (Akamatsu et al)
Related investigations also indicate that children who are deaf of deaf parents score
significantly higher on performance IQ tests than children who are deaf who are raised in
families with parents and siblings who can hear (). More recent studies indicate considerable
variability in nonverbal IQ test scores. This finding is thought to be attributed to the types of tests
involved and the greater heteroginity of children who are deaf relative to children who can hear
(). Children who are deaf who are born into a multiplicity of family units. Although the majority of
these children are surrounded by those who can hear and use speech to communicate, only a
few are privy to ease of communication access of birth. Faced with early and continuing
communication barriers, children who are nurtured in hearing families are generally privy to less
information while oftentimes relying on their visual perception to create meaning from what they
observe.