The Story of a Little Genius: The Girl Who at Just 3 Years Old Already Had an IQ of 99%
In Crestwood, Kentucky, a three-year-old girl has captivated the world with her extraordinary talent. She became the youngest person in history to join Mensa, showcasing not only her giftedness but also the challenges faced by families with gifted children.
### A Precocious Talent that Surprised Everyone
Since a very young age, Isla showed signs of exceptional intelligence. Before turning three, she could easily identify letters, numbers, and colors. The turning point came with a simple gift: an erasable tablet. Her father wrote words like “red” or “cat”, which Isla recognized and read effortlessly.
Intrigued by her abilities, her parents had her take the Stanford-Binet test, where she scored in the 99th percentile for her age. With that score, the doors to Mensa opened for her, making her the youngest member of the organization on June 2, 2022, a milestone even recorded by news outlets.
### An Uncommon Development
Apart from reading and writing, Isla has shown a strong inclination towards mathematics and an early interest in American Sign Language. At home, she often spells out words by placing toy letters next to objects like “chair” next to a chair or “couch” next to a sofa. She even spelled out “C-A-T” near her cat, Booger, which her parents describe as one of their most surprising moments.
Though she is a part of Mensa, Isla doesn’t fully grasp what it means yet. For her, playing and exploring are still a big part of her daily life.
### The Challenges of Educating a Gifted Girl
Isla’s talent also poses a challenge. She currently attends preschool, but her parents are considering advancing her education to better utilize her abilities. The lack of suitable programs for such young children with high capabilities worries the family, leading them to seek constant guidance in support communities like Mensa.
Despite her astounding intellect, Isla enjoys the same things as other children her age: reading children’s books, drawing, and spending time with her cat Booger. This duality between her early brilliance and her everyday childhood life is what stands out the most to those who know her.
The journey of Isla McNabb is not only inspiring but also raises questions about how societies and educational systems address the development of exceptionally talented children. Her story serves as a reminder that the real challenge is not just identifying genius but creating environments that allow these prodigies to unfold their full potential without losing their childhood.
