O.K., I know this is an old topic, but I'm just coming up to DS's annual check-up, and am wondering on the topic again. In his case his WISC score came out as HG, with PG in math areas. His score was brought down by an average processing speed. Because it was average not below, the tester didn't take it that he was 2E. He is an 'extreme' perfectionist which perhaps accounts for the difference, but maybe he's ADD or OCD and it's being overlooked because he does so well elsewhere. Can't decide if I should mention it to the Pediatrician, or if I'm being ridiculous. Any ideas?
I think that a lot depends on your Pediatrician, and what specifically you are worried about. If you see other behaviors that suggest ADD or OCD (or Anxiety - that's a biggie!) then a pediatrician is great to talk to - but I would also bring specific examples of his behavior outside the testing situation. Some Peds love looking at WISC data, but I'll bet most would have less idea than you do what it all means.
The 2 questions I have for you are:
1) Do you think that he really does have slow processing speed, or do you think he scored average in those areas because of perfectionism or other personality aspects. What do you see in real life?
2) How is his working memory? If his PS seems to be affecting his learning or living, and his WM is strong, it might be worthwhile to teach him to compensate for his PS with his WM and work on training the WM, or at least doing an advertising campaign for it.
(My son - age 13- has an average PS (8 on coding!), but amazing WM so this is what we do. He also has been diagnosed with ADD and has recently started taking medication, which he just loves. I think what it does is allow his normal part of his brain to catch up a bit to his stronger parts. I'm really not so convinced that he is 'inattentive' as his will power seems really strong to me, as much as it takes so long to think the first thought that he misses the second thought. Or is that splitting hairs?)
Anyway - when you say average processing speed, check what the lowest subscore is - Average has a really huge spread, and 110 is a lot better than 90 when the rest of you is 140+. And remember, the subscores aren't meant to be looked at as microscopically as I am guilty of doing. I call it 'reading the tea leaves' to remind myself of this. If you son processes fast while playing games or in the car or isn't having trouble at school, then it may be 'an artifact' of the test instead of a feature of your kid!
Love and More Love,
Grinity
