How does reading ability correlate with IQ levels in dyslexic students?

The correlation between reading ability and IQ levels in dyslexic students is nuanced and complex. Reading ability in dyslexic individuals often does not accurately reflect their cognitive potential or intelligence. This discrepancy is primarily because dyslexia specifically affects the skills needed for reading, such as phonological processing, decoding, and fluency, without directly impacting overall intelligence.

Dyslexic students may demonstrate average or above-average intelligence but struggle significantly with reading. Standardized IQ tests may show a disparity in performance, where a student might score well on verbal and non-verbal IQ sections but struggle with reading tasks. Consequently, the argument that reading ability serves as a predictor of intelligence does not hold true for dyslexic individuals, as their challenges with reading do not signify lower intelligence but rather highlight specific learning differences.

In contrast, other options suggest that reading ability might predict various aspects of intelligence or require different forms of assessment, which do not align with the unique profiles of dyslexic learners. Understanding this relationship is essential for educators and therapists to tailor effective instructional strategies and interventions for students with dyslexia.