WISC-IV interpretation question

[bananafish]

-What may it mean if a student has an average Letter-Number-Sequence score (9,) but a below average Digit Span score (6?)

-Additionally, a high average symbol search (15,) and an average Coding (8?)

My boy is 12 w/ an LD diagnosis and ADHD, is scoring like this unusual?

[Laurie4b]

http://www.vdps.net/special/test.html Here's a good link that explains what each subtest measures. Coding definitely involves writing, so if a child has slower motor skills, or deficits in a combination of visual-motor skills, then that will impact that score. I don't believe that the symbol search involves writing, but I could be wrong on that.

I think the difference between the LNS and digit span is curious. Did you ask the examiner what s/he thought about these discrepencies?

[bananafish]

Cannot recall exactly, perhaps something to do with DS having more to do with short-term memory and LNS to be working memory that may demand him to try harder?

[wapiti]

-What may it mean if a student has an average Letter-Number-Sequence score (9,) but a below average Digit Span score (6?)

-Additionally, a high average symbol search (15,) and an average Coding (8?)

My boy is 12 w/ an LD diagnosis and ADHD, is scoring like this unusual?
From my kids' recent reports, letter-number sequencing involves sequencing, mental manipulation, attention, short term auditory memory, visuospatial imaging and processing speed. Digit span has two parts - digit span forward involves rote learning and memory, attention encoding and auditory processing. Digit span backward involves working memory, transformation of information, mental manipulation and visuospatial imaging.

Symbol search involves visual scanning and tracking, while coding requires more motoric output. Coding tends to be related to the ability to rapidly take notes and timed tests/timed assignments.

Based on my kids' relatively low coding scores (low relative to their other scores), the psych recommended that they learn typing and avoid timed tests.

[Laurie4b]

Cannot recall exactly, perhaps something to do with DS having more to do with short-term memory and LNS to be working memory that may demand him to try harder?

yeah--that's the part that doesn't quite make sense. It seems to me that the skills in coding are embedded in LNS, which adds more working memory rather than just rote memory--so why would ds do worse on what seems to be the easier task? Doesn't quite make sense.