Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment WISC Results, VCI much higher than other scores?

I am posting for a friend who is trying to figure out what to make of her son's WISC scores. I haven't been part of this forum for long, but having such an even profile through the PRI, PSI and WMI and then really strong VCI seems unusual?

He was 7yrs 5 months at time of testing. He almost certainly has ADHD, currently waiting to see a paed. Also some sensory issues for which he sees and OT.

Verbal Comprehension 134
Perceptual Reasoning 104
Working Memory 99
Processing Speed 100
Full Scale NOT CALCULATED DUE TO A DISCREPANCY

Verbal Comprehension
Similarities 18
Vocabulary 15
Comprehension 14

Perceptual Reasoning
Block Design 12
Picture Concepts 10
Matrix Reasoning 10

Working Memory
Digit Span 10
Letter-Number Sequencing 10


Processing Speed
Coding 9
Symbol Search 11

Is there achievement data?

I'd love to see an 'after' testing if ADHD is diagnosed and treated.

Scores always have to be interpreted in light of a whole child's life. Why was this testing done? What is the child's school experience like?

One thing for sure - I'd be willing to bet a dollar that folks get 'mad' at this kid for 'not trying' and tell him that if he 'tried harder' he could do better. People generally unconsiously 'judge' a child's intelligence on VCI and then blame the kid if they don't perform up to their vocal abilities.

Anyway, my son went throught that experience in 2nd grade, and my eyes were opened to how much I do that. Remember when a Mother-figure advised you to judge a potential mate's character on what he does instead of what he says, or how he makes you feel? I remember how long it took to learn that one. I had to make a rule to never again date any in the writing profession.

How's that for a guess in the dark?

Smiles and more smiles,
Grinity

Thanks Grinity! She's reading (or will in our morning) and I am sure will be grateful for your insight.

The achievement testing was limited and not tests I have seen mentioned on here before the summary is :

"results on the achievement tasks suggest that he is performing slightly below his age appropriate level on reading accuracy and spelling. His comprehension is age appropriate (my note: this was 28th percentile so the very low end of "average") while arithmetic is average. He would benefit from some remedial assistance with literacy tasks. Occupational Therapy would be beneficial to work on sensory processing issues."

Also, I can't remember if this testing was done before or after his poor eyesight was picked up, which I seem to recall had an impact on learning to read (and general school work). His mother will be able to clarify that.

I guess all that would make a big difference if the eyesight was untreated. What does he read for fun? More importantly, what does he listen to for fun?

My son wasn't an early reader, but he was a very precocious listener. He was interested in chaper books at age 3, but because he couldn't read 'see Jane run' that didn't strick me as unusal at the time. I figured that he just like my voice, and Jim Dale's voice. And of course he 'understood' everything, but he always understood everything anyway...so confusing to know what is normal when one has a passle of sibs and cousins who are far beyond average.

Doesn't it seem odd that a kid who is 130 in VCI is reading 'at grade level?' of course this could mean that they didn't test him above grade level.

It sure sounds like some kind of asynchrony, bottleneck, or frank learning diability is at work. Hopefully the assistance is on it's way soon and will be helpful.

Grinity