WISC Testing

The Cottage Medical Centre now offer private WISC Testing

The WISC-V, or Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition, is a widely used intelligence test designed to assess the cognitive abilities of children aged 6 to 16. The WISC-V is a comprehensive tool that helps psychologists, educators, and other clinicians understand a child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses, guiding decisions for support and intervention.

Example of a Testing Kit

The WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition) is beneficial for several reasons:

1. **Comprehensive Assessment**: It provides a broad measure of cognitive abilities, including verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. This helps in understanding a child’s overall intellectual functioning and identifying their strengths and weaknesses.

2. **Detailed Insights**: It offers insights into specific cognitive areas, which can help in assisting with further and more specific testing of learning disabilities or other cognitive disorders.

3. **Educational Planning**: The results can guide educational planning and interventions. Understanding a child’s cognitive profile helps educators tailor instruction to meet individual needs, support areas where the child may struggle, and build on their strengths.

4. **Clinical and Psychological Evaluation**: The WISC-V is often used in psychological assessments to aid in the diagnosis process of conditions such as ADHD, intellectual disabilities. It provides valuable data that can inform treatment and support strategies.

WISC FAQ

What is the WISC for?

The WISC-V is used to assess a child’s (aged 6 to 16 years) cognitive abilities and intellectual functioning. It helps in understanding a child’s strengths and weaknesses across various cognitive domains. This information can guide educational planning, screen for potential learning disabilities or cognitive disorders, and therefore support individualised learning plans at school. It is often the first point of assessment that can assist with identifying whether further explorations are required to investigate specific conditions. The WISC-V may be recommended by GP’s, pediatricians, school staff or psychologists.

What does WISC diagnose?

The WISC-V itself is not a diagnostic tool for specific conditions but provides valuable information that can indicate further assessment and contribute to a diagnosis. It helps identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses, which can be part of the diagnostic process for conditions such as:

• Learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia)
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Intellectual disabilities
• Specific learning disorders
• Cognitive processing issues

Does WISC test for ADHD?

The WISC-V does not diagnose ADHD specifically. However, it provides information about a child’s cognitive functioning that may help in understanding their difficulties with attention, memory, or processing speed. An ADHD diagnosis typically requires a comprehensive evaluation that includes behavioral assessments and input from multiple sources.

Does WISC test for Autism?

The WISC-V is not designed to diagnose Autism. While it can provide insights into areas like cognitive functioning and executive skills, diagnosing autism involves a more comprehensive evaluation that includes behavioral observations, developmental history, and assessments of social communication and behaviour.

Does WISC test Dyslexia?

The WISC-V does not diagnose dyslexia, but it can help identify cognitive patterns associated with dyslexia, such as difficulties with processing speed, working memory, or verbal comprehension. A diagnosis of dyslexia usually involves additional assessments, including reading and language evaluations.

What WISC score is gifted?

“Giftedness” is often indicated by a Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) score of 130 or above, which is typically in the top 2% of the population. This score suggests a high level of cognitive ability relative to age-matched peers. However, giftedness can also be assessed through other indicators, including creativity, problem-solving skills, and academic performance.

Is the WISC a good IQ test?

The WISC-V is considered a highly reliable and valid measure of cognitive ability in children. It is widely used by psychologists and educational professionals and provides a comprehensive assessment of various cognitive domains. It is well-regarded for its ability to identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses, though no test is perfect and results should be interpreted in the context of other assessments and observations.

How long will the WISC take?

The WISC-V typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes to administer, depending on the child’s engagement and the specific subtests administered. The exact duration can vary based on the child’s pace and any breaks needed during the testing session. The psychologist may call the client back for further subtests if they would like to obtain further information.

Can the WISC score improve?

WISC-V scores can fluctuate due to various factors, including changes in cognitive functioning, testing conditions, and a child’s developmental progress. While scores may vary over time, significant or sustained changes should be interpreted with caution and typically involve ongoing evaluation and support. It’s important to consider the WISC-V as part of a broader assessment of cognitive and academic development rather than relying on it as a sole measure of intelligence.

What are the costs?

WISC Assessments are $950.00. Unfortunately, there are no Medicare rebates for psychometric testing at this time. The cost includes the following:

1 x Pre-Assessment Interview with parents/carers (50 minutes)

1 – 2 Assessment sessions (60 to 90 minutes, depending on child’s pace, fatigue, or further subtest investigation).

1 x Generation of a full report, inclusive of results and recommendations/strategies for the classroom, home and community. (2 hours assessment scoring and report writing)

1 x Feedback session with parents/carers (50 minutes)

*Contact between the school and psychologist are dependent on the family’s needs, and are often inclusive of the package price. If extensive contact is required (i.e. attending learning support meetings), the psychologist and family will discuss further.

Please contact reception on 52416129 to discuss making a booking.