Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment GAI problem

As some of you recall, my neuropsych that I had test DS is reluctant to calculate his GAI (even though there is 62 point difference between his PSI and VCI) I calculated the Gai based on the tentative scores she gave me and a chart I found on the internet, and it turns out to be 128 (or 129 b/c one subtest she said to me "he got an 18 or a 17") - which would still qualify him for the gifted program with appropriate achievement scores (cut-off is 130 but if you have over 125 you can get in with other points like achievement and such and with 128 or 129 it is even easier). I believe we have at least one qualifying achievement score (all we need) and we would need a teacher recommendation also (I believe). Anyway, does anyone know what I can do to get her to calculate it? She may calculate it, but she seemed awfully resistant to doing so and I didn't get her to commit to it... and, of course, I still do not have the report.

If I can't get her to calculate it, could I calculate it myself and ask the school psych to check/verify it and request that it be used for consideration into the program? His school psych told me they do accept GAI in lieu of FSIQ. I am so annoyed at this neurpsych... clearly she doesn't have much experience in 2e.

Wow!! What a shame. Could you tell her that the GAI calc is important at your school to allow your child access to the appropriate curriculum for his achievement level and that if she does not calculate one, your child will not be allowed to participate??

You are PAYING her for this correct? Then surely her few minutes of time to run those numbers are part of the fee. It is a standard practice to calculate this when there is a "significant difference" (statistically) which is part of what she must report (and discuss) with his numerical results in his full report.

Agreeing with HappilyMom. I would not pay her until she produces a report that has been written to your satisfaction. And that would include a GAI score.

If there is a 62 point difference between his PSI and his VCI, the FSIQ is invalid. She should *not* report it.

The report should also include a statement that indicates that the GAI should be used where the FSIQ normally would be used. Here is an example:

Because this child demonstrated too much variability in his performance across the four index scores, the FSIQ is not an accurate representation of his intellectual ability. However, since his verbal and performance index scores were similar, the General Ability Index was computed. The GAI differs from the FSIQ because it is not influenced by performance on the working memory and processing speed tasks.

Or she could simply call the GAI the "General Ability Index/Full Scale IQ Equivalent" with no explanation. I've seen that done as well.

One other thing--If the VCI and PRI were extremely different from one another, the GAI may not be valid either. Perhaps someone with more experience can chime in here.

Well, this is another problem, apparently there is one standard deviation between his VCI and his PRI . But there are four standard deviations between the VCI and the PSI. So while both are technically invalid, in my mind the FsIQ based on 4 SDs is more invalid than the GAI which would encompass 1SD. Neuropsych wants to report the FSIQ but does not want to report or calculate the GAI. It really makes no sense to me. Ayi yi yi!

Thanks happilymom. I put a call into her office and left a message explaining that I really must insist that she include the GAI and why... We'll see what happens, I guess. Had I known that it was " her policy not to calculate GAI" I would have never went to her b/c in my son's case he has a documented writing and motor disability and documented delays due to that...there will always be a large gap between his pSI and his VCI. It is, in fact, getting bigger not smaller (when he was tested at 6 there were 2 standard deviants ones between the two, now there's four!) I realize reporting the gap and including the psi gets his disability acknowledged and accommodated but we also have to see how his intelligence is when he is not held back by the disability to get his gifted needs met! YKWIM? Unfortunately I already paid her. But I can keep pestering her I guess.

Hi,

You might forward to her the document on this page (second one down). This is on the Pearson website, written by Pearson, and describes the use of the GAI. Perhaps she might be more amenable if she sees that it is a standard practice described by the test company themselves. It has a whole section on "when to use the GAI". You might draw her attention to that section. Sometimes a professional who would think they understand scoring better than a parent just needs to see something that feels official to them.

http://pearsonassessmentsupport.com/support/index.php?View=files&CategoryID=235

Irena-- I know this doesn't help much but my son's numbers have been sent to me from our testing (waiting on full report still) and he has a 25 pt spread in VCI vs PRI (so close to 2SD)and a 61pt spread between VCI and PSI. My "advance" numbers on NP's letterhead include both a FSIQ and GAI. It is so wrong that this specialist that you are paying privately is being so unprofessional.

PS... my son's spread is increasing too. At 4 he only had a 28pt spread between VIQ and PSQ and a 16pt spread between VIQ and PIQ on his WPPSI. It's no wonder you've been so helpful with the similar profiles our kids have.