Calgarian Ali Aldalawy was four years old when he scored 160 on his IQ test, ranking him in the top 0.1 per cent of kids his age. Now five, Aldalawy says he enjoys math and reading. “He is also very loud, creative, funny and curious,” said his brother Omar. During an interview with CTV News, Aldalawy was able to name dozens of countries when shown their flags. His mother Alaa Hassan says she was incredibly proud when she learned of her son’s high IQ, following a test he took from a registered psychologist last October. Hassan says she noticed Aldalawy was curious when he was two, saying he liked to build new things, explore outside and use his imagination. “I noticed he liked to challenge himself, especially when he is doing any puzzle or mazes,” Hassan said. According to Mensa International, the world’s oldest high IQ society, an IQ score of 100 is considered average. Mensa only accepts people as members if their IQ puts them in the top two per cent of the population, an IQ of 130 or higher. Aldalawy was one of just two four-year-olds in Canada who were accepted into the Mensa program last year. “They see patterns well on IQ tests, but they see it in life. They see it in math, they see the pattern in reading. They read really early,” said Millie Norry, VP of membership for Mensa Canada. “They like to experiment with anything that has to do with dirt and mud, cars and outer space and reading. A lot of them are writing little stories far ahead of their peers.” Mensa says 156 Canadian kids ages four to 11 are in their program, 40 of which are from Calgary. Aldalawy’s seven-year-old sister Lamees and 10-year-old brother Omar are both Mensa members as well. Aldalawy enjoy math but has other interests -- like soccer. He has his hair cut like Cristiano Ronaldo, his favourite player. “As a mom, I feel happy and I feel he will do very well,” Hassan said.
