<p>I am a 24 year old female who graduated from college, although barely, two years ago. I have cerebral palsy (brain damage) from premature birth and this is where my LD comes from. I always had difficulties in school (especially in English and History and was relatively better in Science and Math) but always got good grades because of motivation and hard work. Therefore, I did not get tested for LD until sophomore year of college when I just couldn't cope anymore. I took SAT without accommodations and got a 1350 (680 V, 670 M). I got tested for LD in 2005 at age 20 and here are my scores:</p>
<p>WAIS III</p>
<p>Similarities--19</p>
<p>Vocabulary--18</p>
<p>Information--15</p>
<p>Arithmetic--13</p>
<p>Digit Span--11</p>
<p>Letter-Number Sequencing--11</p>
<p>Matrix Reasoning--10 (feel that I could've done better on this one if my examiner did not push me to give an answer quickly. It is supposed to be untimed, but I don't feel that it was not completely untimed. When I took this subtest again a few years later with unlimited time as part of a research study, I got a 12).</p>
<p>Block Design--5</p>
<p>Picture Completion--2</p>
<p>Digit-Symbol Coding--5</p>
<p>Symbol Search--7</p>
<p>Verbal Comprehension Index--145
Working Memory Index--109
Perceptual Organization Index--71
Perceptual Speed Index--79</p>
<p>Verbal IQ--135
Performance IQ--73
Full Scale IQ--average (not calculated due to discrepancy)</p>
<p>So what do you guys think based on these test scores?</p>
<p>I see I am not getting any responses. Anyone?</p>
<p>I’m not a professional in this area, but what’s confusing is that you scored so well in the verbal areas, and yet you had the most trouble with English and History. But then the tests are like sprints, whereas a semester class is testing more of your cross-country skills, like sustainability, ability to discern deeper meanings and your perceptiveness. Exactly what areas of English and History were difficult for you?</p>
<p>The perceptual issues are also interesting. Do you see this translate into everyday life or work life problems? I’ve seen some software that addresses things like picture completion and symbol search. D2 uses something called PTS (Perceptual Therapy System II) by HTS, Inc. I think it’s mainly offered by optometrists who work with vision therapy. This may not work for you, so I wouldn’t recommend spending a huge amount.</p>
<p>You have good working memory, but your perceptual speed (processing speed?) is low. We started using a program to improve working memory, which also is supposed to improve processing speed. It’s a “dual n-back” program, which a Swedish prof came up with. His version is very expensive. I found something for around $50 (it’s on a different computer, so can’t get the title just now), and then I saw a free version recently. Dual n-back is supposed to be very effective in improving memory, attention, and a variety of ailments. (I’ve gotten a bit jaded about lots of these things.)</p>
<p>I found English and History difficult, because they are very broad and everything doesn’t have linear connections. You have to synthesize material independently for it to make sense. I have trouble with simultaneous processing. I also lose interest when I read. What I liked about science, was that everything was linear and connected in a very clear way.</p>
<p>I am not a professional. I’m just a parent. You should go to professionals for diagnosis.</p>
<p>That said, those test scores, with the huge difference between Verbal and Performance, suggest Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD or NVLD). Despite its confusing name, NLD is a disorder where the person can understand verbal information, but has difficulty with information not presented in a verbal way. People with NLD typically have trouble with charts and graphs. They also typically have trouble with social understanding and motor skills, and with synthesizing information. Itsmethere, your trouble with interpretation and synthesizing in English and History would not be unexpected if you did indeed have NLD.</p>
<p>Hi,
It sounds as if you have your scores and raw data, but not the test report that ought to go with it. Are you able to call the psychologist who did the testing and request the complete report? The best thing would probably be to sit down with the psychologist and have him or her go over it with you and explain the implications in terms of the diagnosis the results suggest, and in terms of the practicalities regarding how you learn, and strategies to help you in the subject areas you find most challenging. IMHO just having the numbers in front of you could be almost counterproductive in terms of arousing anxiety and raising a lot of troubling questions without providing answer. It’s unfortunate that the person who did the testing didn’t explain the findings to you at the time. But it’s not too late; get him to answer your questions now.</p>
<p>The person who tested me did actually write a complete report. It’s just me wanting insight about my scores and, to be honest, obsessing over these scores.</p>
<p>If the complete report doesn’t doesn’t explain the scores to your satisfaction, please consider returning to the testing psychologist. Don’t put yourself down as obsessing because you want to understand data that is important to you. Of course you want to understand what the discrepancies between verbal and performance mean in your specific case, and how to interpret the differences between the various sub-scores. The person who tested you is the one best able to explain all this to you. She will not be insulted or put out that you are asking. And she might be able to work with you to find learning and study strategies that could be helpful. You are clearly very bright and would be able to understand even the more technical aspects of the testing if it was laid out well.</p>
<p>I believe that your scores indicate you have a non-verbal learning disability. Often people with this type of disability, while very verbal, have executive function issues which can include trouble organizing their writing and so do tend to do more poorly in subjects requiring writing and abstract thinking. They tend to think very linearly and are more rigid in their interpretations. You have an extremely large gap between your verbal and perceptual IQs with your verbal IQ in the superior range and your perceptual IQ in the below average range, which exacerbates these problems. Your below average processing speed doesn’t help either, because it means you need more time to interpret input in general.</p>
<p>A good neuropsychologist can not only further interpret your scores, but can also recommend the appropriate accomodations for you and may even help you choose a career that will capitalize on your amazing strengths (and there are many).</p>
<p>ReadyToRoll, two minds with a single thought. :)</p>