Noonan's syndrome. IQ and specific disabilities.

The IQ of eight male patients with Noonan's syndrome, aged 13 to 26 years, ranged from 64 to 127, with a median of 102. The full IQ masked the possible presence of specific verbal or praxic (visual-constructional) disability. There was no verbal/praxic disparity in three cases; there was substantial verbal disability in one case; and there was major praxic disability in four cases, three unrelated to vision and one accounted for by severe visual impairment. Ostensible general mental retardation in Noonan's syndrome should always be further evaluated for specific disability. Academic placement should then be arranged accordingly.