I think whether or not processing speed can potentially change may be related to why it's what it is to begin with - i.e., my ds12 has a fine motor disability and his processing speed is significantly lower than his other scores. Based on what we know about the neurological nature of his disability, I expect it will stay where it is. My dd10, otoh, had one extremely low processing speed score when she seven, and we learned that it was due to a visual challenge which was correctable with vision therapy. We haven't had a reason to have her take another IQ test, but if she did I suspect her processing speed score would increase quite a bit.
I have heard (and been told by our neuropsych) that working memory is a score that can increase, and we've seen that happen with our ds12, without using any wm-targeted program. Our neuropsych says it's not uncommon (in her opinion) to see increases in wm as children get older (the increase for our ds occurred between 8 and 11 years old). We have friends who's school and neuropsych have both recommended CogMed for working memory.
It could certainly turn out to be a 2e issue but the psychologist said to continue to watch over the next couple of years and if it gets worse to come in for a complete neuropsych eval she said a PSI of 100 is considered normal for boys his age.
Well - a psi may be "normal" for boys his age, but so would a PRI of 100 be "normal" - a PRI of 135 is definitely an outlier - so instead of looking at a PSI as "normal" it's more useful instead to think of "what is normal for kids who have a PRI of 135" - is it normal for them to mostly have PSIs of 100? Not really.
From what I understand, scatter > 1 SD in subtest scores is *not* "normal". It doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem, but when you see scatter in subtest scores like your ds has - there is the *possibility* of something going on that you might want to look into - doesn't mean for sure it's a 2e issue or that it's any cause for concern, but it certainly might be useful to know what is behind the scatter in scores, which is what you have the potential of learning through a neurospych evaluation. I also think that there's another piece of data that is equally important in this situation - your ds is unhappy at school and he's had feedback that his work is slow. As he moves up in school, the demands on his time and his workload will continue to increase, so if he is being held back by a relatively "low" PSI (relative to his other strengths) at some point it may impact him even more than it is impacting him now.
And, like Grinity, I'd also look into the VIQ vs PRI split. If it was me, I'd ask for a referral to a neuropsych - the neuropsych might agree that there isn't a problem, but otoh if there *is* something behind the discrepancy in subtest scores, you'll be glad you went forward with the neuropsych consult now rather than waiting. The other upside to a neuorpsych evaluation is that you'll (usually) get good advice on what programs you might want to invest $ in or time in to work with your ds and what programs are most likely a waste of time.
Best wishes,
polarbear
eta - we were posting at the same time, so I hadn't seen your latest reply when I added mine. FWIW, much of what you wrote about your ds sounds a lot like my ds, who had Developmental Coordination Disorder. Before he had his first neuropsych eval and we knew about the DCD, we attributed a lot of things to lack of effort, being not motivated etc (he too was slow to get out the door in the morning, slow at changing clothes etc). That doesn't mean your ds has DCD - but the things that you mention above are symptoms that are seen as bits and pieces of several different challenges (as well as being just perfectly normal for some very neurotypical kids). The sum of what you've listed though, jmo, is enough to seek out a consult with a neuropsych who can help you sort through everything to see if there is something going on.
