US: How Isla McNabb, 2, Became World's Highest IQ Society Member

At just two years old, Isla McNabb is years ahead of most children who can read. She impressed even her parents with her ability to read out loud at a young age, securing her a place in the high-IQ society, Mensa International. She is now recognised in the Guinness World Records as the youngest female member of Mensa. McNabb was a child prodigy since she was brought home from the hospital after birth, her parents say. At just seven months old, she could already “pick out certain items from picture books when asked,” her father told Guinness World Records, and was adept in colours, numbers and alphabets, all by the age of one. 

The Mensa is a non-profit organisation that houses some of the world's most intelligent minds. Isla McNabb, from Kentucky USA, scored the 99th percentile of intelligence for her age on the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales.  To earn a place in Mensa, a score of 98th percentile or higher is required on the standardised IQ test, the biggest and oldest high IQ society in the world.

Who Is Isla McNabb?

Isla McNabb's parents noticed her impressive ability when her father, Jason McNabb spelled out the word 'red' on an erasable writing tablet and Isla was quick to read it out loud. He then wrote more words-- 'blue', 'yellow', 'cat', and more, all of which his daughter was able to read. The parents also found McNabb spelling out words like 'chair' and 'sofa' using alphabet blocks.

Her mother Amanda McNabb then decided to get her IQ tested when she was two years old, and to no surprise, Isla McNabb was eligible for the prestigious high IQ society. The parents also told Guinness World Records that the psychologist told them that children her age usually do not get tested but made an exception by listening to her capabilities. 

“She often mispronounces words that we can only assume she learned by reading,” Jason McNabb said, “Last week she said she needed to wash the germs off her hands but pronounced it with a hard 'G'.” McNabb is also apparently able to communicate in the American Sign Language, once again surprising her parents about where she learnt it. 

Isla McNabb recently turned three and goes to preschool. Her parents hope to get an individual education plan for her to be able to begin kindergarten early. They told Guinness World Record that she is exceptionally good at mathematics and reading, but above average at some other subjects.

Challenges Of Gifted Children

While McNabb's parents are extremely proud of their daughter's intelligence, they also expressed the difficulties that come with parenting gifted children. “With my other children, if I didn’t want them to know what I was talking about, we could just spell things out in front of them, but Isla picks it up right away,” Jason McNabb said.

He said that some aspects of his daughter's personality are characteristic of her age, and some are well ahead and advanced that it has been difficult for her to reconcile the two. “Isla thinks she is on par with adults, and it can be challenging,” he said. “She never settles for ‘because I said so.'"

Her parents are now referring to resources that help parents of gifted children keep them engaged and challenged. By enrolling in Mensa, they were able to find a community of other parents who exchange resources. "The biggest benefit to Mensa is the community,” Jason McNabb said.

Isla McNabb's family has been very supportive and was excited to learn about her accomplishments. “They have gifted her many learning gadgets and toys to aid her endeavours,” Jason McNabb said. “It is amazing to see her achieve so much in only three years.”