Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment How 2 interpret DS test scores?

Hi again,
I just got the formal letter back from the psychologist who did our testing. I know the cut off scores for the DYS program is 145+ and my DS scored a 136. HOWEVER, the psych did put in the report a couple times that he felt certain scores were well below what my son could actually achieve. He cited boredom and restlessness as distractions. Also my son complained the test was too easy. The psych made several recommendations including a retest in a year and a very thorough IEP with several meetings throughout the year with school officials/personnel. I am not trying to brag but he basically said that he was much smarter than he was letting on in the test. So do I go ahead and apply anyways to the DYS or wait a year and hope son does better next time? I also have a LOR from his kindergarten teacher expressing her concerns about his "giftedness". Thanks again for listening to yet another frustration rant.

Sorry, here are the #s;

WISC-4
IQ verbal comprehension: 138
IQ perceptual reasoning: 137
working memory IQ: 135
processig speed IQ: 97
Overall full-scale IQ: 136
Almost after every sentence he states things like "may be slight underestimates of his true ability because of his restlessness and impulsivity."

subtest scale scores (average score for his age 10 and a standard deviation 3)
block design-15
similarities-16
digit span-13
picture concepts-14
coding-8
vocabulary-16
matrix reasoning-19
comprehension-17
symbol search-11
arithmetic-19

WIAT-2nd edition
word reading-2.6
reading comprehension-7.0
numerical operations-3.0
math reasoning-3.2
spelling-2.1
written expression-1.8
social studies-3.7
science 5.2

He is 6 years 6 months.

Thanks so much for any interpretation help.

The grade level scores are WJ but that is all he gave me. How do I get a hold of the 100+ scores? Can you still figure it out? This is probably why I cannot find similar scores. UGH.

Does he happen to have a weakness in fine motor/writing? It seems that his scores were lower on paper and pencil timed tests. DS was given the SB5 instead of the WISC because he is the type whose hands can't keep up with his thinking. If you do testing again, you may want to consider the SB5 because there's less pencil work involved...

I do not believe he did the SB5. It is not listed. Do I need to ask for more data or scores? He has a deficit in writing, not fine motor. I do think he was done testing by this point and hates to write anyways so he didn't even try. So is there anything I could even put in a portfolio or should I just work with him on his deficits and retest next year? His psychologist said it is possible he has ADHD but that medication probably wouldn't help (not an option anyways). Would that count for the discrepancy in his scores? The delay in PSI? If work is boring he just tunes out in his own little world and takes a while to process everything. Thanks for the help Dottie and Jool.

Sorry, let me clarify: The SB5 (Stanford-Binet, 5th ed) is an IQ test that your son did *not* have. The psych. used the WISC-4 as an IQ test. The subtests that were lowest on the WISC-4 were ones that that require writing symbols with a pencil. Since, as you say, he has a "deficit in writing", perhaps he should take the SB5 IQ test next time, since it does not require as much quick paper and pencil work.

I wish I would have known that before the test. ugh.

Was the psychologist you used experienced with gifted children? Sometimes that can make a difference in getting a true picture of what a child is capable of. Also, I'm curious about the sci/ss scores listed on the WIAT - to my knowledge, the WIAT doesn't test those areas.

I see you are in MN - have you thought about contacting Dr. Ruf in Minneapolis? She wrote an interesting book about the Levels of Giftedness that may answer some of your questions about where your son might be at: "Losing Our Minds - Gifted Children Left Behind." Dr. Ruf uses the SB5 in her testing, and I've heard very good things about her in general. I know several people on this board have used her.

The psychologist was on the Hoagies website and known for his work with gifted kids. I know Dr. Ruf is really good but she did not take insurance and we can't afford out of pocket right now. Does anyone know if there a huge difference in scores between retests? (for example would his scores change much between this year and next if he is a little more mature, settled, not so stressed?) Thanks everyone.

Dottie I pm'd you.