Lecture 11 - Intelligence and Academic Abilities Flashcards
What is one of the main questions that arises when considering how to measure intelligence?
What is intelligence and how can we actually measure it?
What does Hoffnung book define intelligence as?
In the text book intelligence is defined as environmental adaptability, or the ability to learn from one’s experiences.
What are some of the benefits and limitations of intelligence testing?
Benefits include that intelligence testing provides a uniform score that allows for the comparison of cognitive skill levels across individuals, it can help identify different areas of competency or areas of need for a child which can help with creating a more suitable teaching approach, and IQ testing is often a good predictor of academic achievement.
Limitations include that a single test or single score from a test does not encapsulate the complexity and multi-layered and faceted nature of intelligence, it can ‘pigeon-hole’ children in a way that does not reflect their cognitive skills accurately, and it also does not account for difficulty that children may have with the test based on their lack of experience, what their current emotional and physical state is and whether they struggle with the language or not.
When are IQ tests (“cognitive assessments”) performed on children?
There are many reasons why a cognitive assessment may be used for children, including identification of an intellectual disability, identification of a specific learning disorder, identification of “giftedness”, neurological assessment, clinical work, and or for access to specific funding or support programs.
What is the WISC-V?
The WISC-V stands for Weschler intelligence Test for Children. It is used for testing intelligence in children 6 years and above.
The WISC-V tests 5 different areas that contribute to a child’s overall intelligence: verbal comprehension, Visual Spatial awareness, Fluid Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing speed.
In the population is the WISC-V normally distributed?
Yes. And the average score is 100.
What is the difference between Intelligence testing and Achievement testing?
Intelligence testing looks at a child’s ability to learn a new skill, problem solve, i.e it measures their “potential”.
Achievement testing on the other hand looks at what a child has ACHIEVED thus far in regards to their performance at school.
Intelligence and achievement testing are often correlated, however, sometimes they are not and this can provide a good indicator that something else might be going on for the child, e.g difficult home life that affects their ability to focus at school or even attend school.
What is the WIAT-III?
The WIAT-III stands for Weschler Individual Achievement Test (3rd iteration). The WIAT-III can be used to assess children as young as 4 years of age, but is not recommended till primary school.
When are children assessed for learning disorders?
The earliest children are assessed for learning disorders is generally first grade.
Is WIAT-III normally distributed?
Yes. And the mean score in the population is 100.
What are specific learning disorders (SLDs)?
Specific Learning Disorders are seen as an impaired ability to receive, store, process, retrieve and communicate information in a certain area or certain contexts.
The key thing about SLDs is that they are UNEXPECTED. Children with SLDs tend to have average to above average IQ, however, their academic achievement does not reflect this.
Specific Learning Disorders are classified as learning difficulties that persist despite intervention or addressing certain needs.
E.g a child might be struggling with reading, but it may be that they need glasses and cannot see the words.
True or False?
True
The DSM-5 requires that SLDs are diagnosed based on meeting certain criteria.
Correct?
Yes.
What is a SLD with impairment in reading and writing?
Dyslexia.
Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses is one way looking at a child’s IQ profile and academic achievement to understand whether they are struggling and/or have a SLD.
Explain what is examined in the the PSW.
When using a PSW for a child the child’s cognitive strengths and cognitive weaknesses are identified using the the WISC-V and then the child’s academic achievement profile is also assessed using the WIAT-III. This allows for the recognition and identification of specific areas that the child is struggling with and also allows for the comparison of academic achievement and IQ score to determine whether there is a discrepancy that may be able to be addressed through a certain intervention.
