Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment WPPSI administration/scoring protocols

I'm hoping one of you kind folk "in the know" will be able to answer the following re: administration of the WPPSI III-

1. Is the minimum age for this test 2 years and 6 months? What are the implications on results if a test/subtest is completed prior to the minimum age?

2. Is it 'valid' to administer subtests in different sessions? (no subtest repeated, just a different one each session)

I ask because we have finally seen DS's results, and it's kind of opened a can of worms. Just a quick recap for everyone: we were referred to a psych in relation to behavior and sleep problems with DS (now 3); we had no idea the psych would do any testing, let alone IQ stuff; we always thought DS was advanced but that was never really a 'concern' whereas the behavior/sleep things were.

Now to the can of worms. We didn't get a report, DH and I were just shown the original booklet. FSIQ 133, with Performance somewhat higher, and Verbal a little lower (lots of numbers, can't remember those figures exactly). I thought good, no unexpected outcomes there, I can stop double-guessing myself. Then DH says to me (albeit not in a mean way) 'So he is 'gifted' but only just. Guess you were hoping it'd be higher, like yours?'. That comment just floored me, and it hurt - a little number that is otherwise irrelevant to our household suddenly became 'something' in that moment. Since seeing the results, DH has also become a lot more interested in the finer details of testing, hence my original questions. Now, I'm even questioning the whole gifted thing myself, and I don't even know why? (Careful readers, maybe GT denial is catching! LOL).

Whether the results are valid or not, DS will always be our amazing, perplexing, sensitive, little guy. Just between you, me and cyberspace though, having watched DS during the testing I actually think that FSIQ is an underestimate. He somehow managed to get to the end of all the exercises, even though he basically refused to answer many of the 'easier' ones. Go figure!

Thanks for letting me share

I am absolutely no expert. But since my dd took the WPPSI at 3y5mo, I have read quite a bit on these boards about the WPPSI. And time and again, people will say that often test results are not as accurate on children that young.

If your gut is telling you the FSIQ is an underestimate, then I wouldn't hesitate to retest DS once he gets a few more years under his belt.

And, like you said, he's still the same amazing little guy you've always known. A number is just a number. And with testing that young, it could be far from accurate.

Honestly, I would not put any stake in testing done that young unless it was horribly on the low end.

I also believe that test are inaccurate on children that young. I have heard too many stories of scores changing dramatically, both higher and lower, during the pre k years. My advice is to nurture your childs creativity and curiosity..& see what developes.

I agree with you all. He's young and its just not important at this time. The psych said she uses the testing to help identify 'red flag' areas, for which DS got the all-clear. She also said its important DS be retested closer to school, which would make results more relevant and meaningful.

FWIW we did have one totally unexpected outcome of that meeting - The psych stressed strongly that DS should attend preschool as soon as possible. We only have one preschool in town, that is for 4/5 yo's, and has limited places. She is currently liaising with them on our behalf to try and get DS in when a place becomes available. I thought it was great that she's going the extra mile to help us

That is great that she is going the extra mile.

Just out of curiosity, did she indicate why she thought your ds needed to start school ASAP?

Hmm can't really help with the two questions but I'm sure somebody here can. Interestingly enough our sons have the same scores, at least for FSIQ, DS other numbers were PIQ 140 and VIQ 127.

I did expect DS scores to be higher based on having him at a solid level 3 on Deborah Ruf's estimate of level of giftedness but he is young and it's only a number so we will see what happens in a couple years. If you have not read that book I strongly recommend it.

Just to clarify, starting DS in preschool now is not with a view to early entrance to formal schooling. As I understand it, the preschool only offers a one-year program which, if DS gets in, will mean repeating the following year.

Irisheyes, at the risk of over-simplifying our situation, I think the preschool thing is about DS's lack of peers/loneliness/personality. He was in full time day care until he was 18mos old because both DH and I worked, and he absolutely thrived (apart from speech). The centre had him spending over half the day in with the 2-4yos by the time he was 1, which we thought was primarily due to his advanced physical ability and the fact that he was bigger than most of the 2 year olds! Anyway, the key point here is that his OE's were always more easily kept in check/less pronounced in that environment than at home - You'd have thought DH and I were talking about a completely different child with what went on at night/weekends. With help (and a lot of hard work) we have almost got DS's sensitivities to a manageable level at home but I just can't magically produce friends for him, IYKWIM. He is keenly aware that he seems 'different' from the children that he already gets to play with, and tells me so. He asks everyday if I could 'try and phone the lady one more time to see if today is the day (he) can go to school because (he) really needs some good friends to talk to.' Its breaking my heart, not half because those 'good friends' may not be found at the preschool either?

TMJ, I just wanted to echo what the other posters were saying. I don't think testing at such a young is as accurate. My DS(3) was given an IQ test as part of an evaluation to qualify him for speech therapy. His score puts him at high average. Considering he's starting to read now and is doing K/1st grade math, I think it's an underestimation (plus his sister is PG). I plan on having him tested again when he is 6 and in school. I hope everything works out getting your son into the preschool program- good luck!

Thanks Ruby, appreciate it.

In case anyone reading this thread wonders why we can't accommodate the social needs thing with joining a club, boy scouts etc - there just aren't any around here. Due to DH's specialist work, we now live in a small, geographically isolated town, with extremely limited facilities. If it's not the preschool, for under 5's its nothing.

I guess if I was Superwoman, I could probably try and start something up myself... but quite frankly most of the time, I'm just plain old Supertired! My two little darlings still sleep (or not sleep, if you will) as badly as colicky newborns most of the time. I say bring on preschool