Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment WIAT scores higher than WISC

Hi

I am just wondering if anyone has experienced this or can tell me if this is normal? My 7yo got a WIAT in a higher range (superior) to her WISC, her FSIQ was in the average range (not even high average just average, average). Is this normal?

Does a result like this reduce the likelihood that the FSIQ would be accurate?

TIA

I think there are 'operational' areas of the wiat that show more what the child has learned, and 'comprehension' areas that show more what the child could learn/aka potential/ability. If the comprehension areas are high that might possibly put into question the wisc fsiq, which is supposed to be about ability.

Even if the higher score is mainly on operational stuff, that does indicate a good ability to learn...being in a good place to learn well helps. Do you have doubts about the fsiq? Is what your child doing day to day seem more than average?
I had this experience, though only lately did my ds take the wiat. The wisc did not particularly seem to show his real ability, but that is probably because is an odd fellow, running around the house taping everything to everything else...wears his creativity on his sleeve. Doesn't give the typical answers to typical questions, etc.

FSIQ can be very misleading - sort of the same problem one would get when averaging my income with Bill Gate's. It your child's FISQ 'spiky' like that?

If you feel comfortable to do so, please post more information - the subtests and subscale scores for both FSIQ and WAIT. We aren't professionals, but there is quite a number of 'mom-years' of experience here.

Also, please say 'why' these tests were done, and introduce your DD a bit - what does she enjoy, what does she dread, is she enjoying school, peers? Is she easy to parent, and where are the challenges? Family history helps too - does Giftedness run in the family? Other 'odd duck' sorts in your or her dad's tree? Have people in your families generally been able to make good use of the regular opportunities that school and life has to offer? Or do folks in your family tend to have to 'take the long way around?'

Love and More Love,
Grinity

Hey, I thought DD8 was the only kid who did that. Everything in the house and backyard is connected - either taped or tied with ribbon/string/yarn/fabric strips.

I did expect a higher IQ score, so I am not sure if I am clutching at straws or if I should have a genuine issue with the difference.

I have 4 DD's and DD1 tested as HG no quirks,grade skipped, easy going now studying medicine, scholarships, easy run.
On both DH's side and my side are family members who have tested as gifted, neither myself or DH have ever tested, DH would score quite high, my abilities are in other area's. Most cousins range in the MG-HG, even those family members not tested have some quirks and definite strengths.Most of both families are happily underachieving, as long as they have access to a good book pile they are happy iykwim. Over achievement is not a family trait on either side.
DD2 and DD3 I just recently tested,DD2 did dismally and we suspect she has some learning issues. School has never been easy for her and she is working at her age level, we think she is a VSL with auditory issues,current auditory testing has been delayed due to ear problems, she has had extensive testing in the past but was perhaps too young? She has some eye issues as well.
DD3 who is the child who got the higher WIAT is 7 and has been diagnosed with selective mutism, she has no eye issues nor auditory issues and is very much a auditory sequential learner. School is easy, basically she learns quickly, puts in minimal effort and stays at the top of the class, we have not extended her at home.Instead we have focused on her socially which means she dances 4 days a week & does martial arts 2 days a week, she has no time for homework or any learning outside of school but her social confidence has improved. She is in a grade 1/2 class works at both levels.

WISC was in the average, WIAT in the superior range

I really thought her WISC would be MG and her WIAT would show she was perhaps under performing as we pay more attention atm to developing her social skills vs her academic, we are not extending/coaching/teaching her at home, it has been a deliberate choice to not do so. I would confidently describe her as not working at full capacity.

She receives moderate access to extension activities at school and is considered a capable student with verbal limitations, generally works at the higher grade level (composite/multi age class).Her teacher is very nice and is not at all pushy, much attention is paid to her social needs, so I don't think her teacher is overworking her either.
She can't ask questions (hasn't got the verbal ability ie could ask at home but won't in a public setting) so I don't see how she could be working above her IQ level.

I just don't see her as capable of working above ability, I would imagine to achieve above ability it would require a large amount of effort from home and school, it would also involve a child who has a different personality to my DD. She puts in minimal effort, keeps up with older peers and doesn't ask or seek out help, she is a compliant child, who is not in a rush academically.

Should I ignore the current assessment or take it on board?

Even in the WIAT she scored highest on her least favoured subject and scored the lowest on her favourite.

Is it normal to get a difference like this?

Lol! No MidWest, there are others!! In fact, one mom in our neighborhood who's girl is in the gt class decided she had to tell her daughter to start buying her own tape, which really cracked me up!

Oh my. I have a taper too. And constantly tying the skipping rope to things. And string.

Miscba - so was her VCI low? how was the PRI?

I should add she has achieved the same stages as her HG sister and that is taking into account that DD1 was an only child for 9 years and got way too much parental attention, now it is split 4 ways and DD3 gets limited attention in comparison .


3 children here who tape everything up too.

Yes VCI was the lowest 39th% and WMI was the highest 96th%. PRI was 2nd highest followed by PSI.