WISC V - Understanding the Verbal Comprehension Index Score.

Summary

Dr. Cindy D, a specialist in learning disabilities with her own experiences of dyslexia and dysgraphia, discusses the intricacies of evaluating verbal comprehension in children. She explains the process of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), focusing on the vocabulary and similarities subtests. Dr. D highlights the importance of understanding the depth of a child's comprehension and the challenges they may face, such as expressive language issues, word retrieval difficulties, and auditory processing problems. She emphasizes the need for clinicians to query responses to elicit more detailed answers and the impact of these issues on a child's educational needs. The conversation also touches on the significance of assessing for auditory processing disorders and the varied reasons why children might struggle with vocabulary tests. Dr. D concludes by noting the potential for intellectual depth in children who score high on the similarities test, despite their challenges with reading and writing.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Dr. Cindy D is a specialist in learning disabilities with a PhD, who has been working with children from kindergarten through college for over 25 years.
• 📝 She conducts diagnostic evaluations, interventions, and advocacy for children with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and other challenges.
• 💬 The verbal comprehension score on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) is determined by two main subtests: similarities and vocabulary.
• 🔍 In the vocabulary subtest, children are asked to define words orally, and precision in their answers can lead to further queries for clarification (indicated by a 'Q').
• 🙅‍♀️ Expressive language difficulties can impact a child's score on verbal comprehension, even if they understand the concept but struggle to express it.
• 🧐 Word retrieval issues and auditory processing problems can cause children to provide incorrect responses on vocabulary tests.
• 🕒 The 'tell me more' query allows children to give more detailed explanations, which can help clinicians understand their depth of understanding.
• 📚 Children who excel in the similarities subtest may have a strong ability to make verbal arguments, understand complex concepts, and need intellectual challenges.
• 🤔 Difficulty with abstract thinking and visualization can make the similarities test challenging for some children.
• 🧠 There are additional comprehension subtests (information and comprehension) that can provide a more comprehensive verbal index score.
• 👂 Auditory processing issues, such as not distinguishing between certain sounds, can be addressed through training and may require an auditory assessment.
• 🌐 Children who are not strong readers may still have a vast vocabulary and understanding of word meanings, using context clues to learn about words they cannot decode.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Dr. Cindy D's work?

Dr. Cindy D specializes in working with individuals with learning disabilities, including dyslexia and dysgraphia. Her work involves diagnostic evaluations, intervention, advocacy, and she is also a reading and writing remediation specialist.

How long has Dr. Cindy D been working in her field?

Dr. Cindy D has been working with children with learning disabilities from kindergarten through college for over a quarter of a century, which she realized recently.

What are the two main subtests used in the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) to measure verbal comprehension?

The two main subtests used to measure verbal comprehension are 'Similarities' and 'Vocabulary'.

How does the vocabulary subtest work in the WISC?

In the vocabulary subtest, a word is orally presented to the individual, who is then asked to define it. The individual is not required to provide multiple meanings, but a definition with enough depth will earn maximum points.

What does the 'Q' notation in the WISC manual signify?

The 'Q' notation in the WISC manual stands for 'query', which is used when an answer is not precise enough. It prompts the individual to provide a more detailed definition or explanation.

How can an expressive language disorder impact a person's score on the verbal comprehension test?

An expressive language disorder can impact a person's score on the verbal comprehension test because it may be difficult for them to find the right words or express their ideas with precision, even if they understand the concept.

What is the relationship between listening comprehension and oral expression?

Listening comprehension and oral expression are closely related because one must listen before they can learn to speak. If there is a listening comprehension issue, it often results in an oral expression issue as well.

How does auditory processing play a role in vocabulary understanding?

Auditory processing is crucial for vocabulary understanding because it involves the ability to hear and recognize the differences in sounds. If a child has difficulty distinguishing between certain sounds, it can lead to misheard words and incorrect understanding of vocabulary.

What is the purpose of querying a response during the vocabulary subtest?

The purpose of querying a response is to encourage the individual to provide a more detailed and precise definition or explanation. This helps the clinician to better understand the depth of the individual's understanding and to ensure that the response is not just a superficial one.

How does the 'Similarities' subtest work in the WISC?

In the 'Similarities' subtest, two items are presented, and the individual is asked to explain the relationship between them. The test starts with very concrete objects and becomes increasingly abstract, requiring the individual to demonstrate their understanding of the relationship at different levels of complexity.

What does a high score on the 'Similarities' subtest indicate about a child's cognitive abilities?

A high score on the 'Similarities' subtest indicates that the child has a deep understanding of concepts and relationships. These children can often make strong verbal arguments and may need intellectual challenges to keep them engaged and prevent boredom.

What are the additional subtests in the WISC that can provide a more comprehensive verbal index score?

The additional subtests in the WISC that can provide a more comprehensive verbal index score are 'Information' and 'Comprehension'. These subtests are about understanding social rules and can help paint a more detailed picture of the student's performance and skill set.