Cancellation subtest on WISC?

[Anonymous]

Can anyone explain this subtest (it was for a young teen - I know it looks different at different ages)?

My child completely bombed this one. She crushed the symbol search. Trying to figure out what is going on, and what types of accommodations she might need.

The evaluator just explained it as inconsistent processing speed results, but I’m thinking there’s some nuance here.

Her coding score dropped from 75th percentile to 25th percentile (this summer vs 4 years ago).

Thanks for any insight.

[Anonymous]

It could related to OCD, double checking that she was correct, which slowed her down.

[Anonymous]

Cancellation: Uses concrete symbols; affected by attention and visual neglect. Measures selective attention and speed in processing visual information. Involves visual scanning of a group of items not in rows.

Symbol Search: Less emphasis on motor output; requires rapid differential of abstract symbols; involves visuo-motor coordination, visual discrimination, and concentration. Involves visual scanning of rows.

Coding: Requires the testee to draw symbols; heavy grapho-motor influence. Affected by concentration, fine motor dexterity, and short term memory.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. She scored 99th percentile on Symbol Search. Just trying to reconcile the two and what that means for school (and DL).

Testing showed average through superior on all tests of attention.

She does have OCD, but she actually refuses to check her work.

[Anonymous]

Seems like it means she is slow at processing visual information. It could affect her reading speed and ability to understand diagrams. Does she have trouble in these areas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like it means she is slow at processing visual information. It could affect her reading speed and ability to understand diagrams. Does she have trouble in these areas?

Diagrams, yes. Recent trouble reading, but used to be a reading superstar.

Wouldn’t she have been slow at SS, also, though?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like it means she is slow at processing visual information. It could affect her reading speed and ability to understand diagrams. Does she have trouble in these areas?

Diagrams, yes. Recent trouble reading, but used to be a reading superstar.

Wouldn’t she have been slow at SS, also, though?

Sounds like she is a smart kid who managed to compensate for her weaknesses in the past, but her strategies are failing as the demands get higher. SS is easier visually but requires more abstract reasoning, which may explain why she could still do that test.

For accomodations, extended test time would help. If she has trouble with diagrams, she may need explanations from the teacher if she has to extract information from them. For reading problems, there are a lot of programs to help reading, but schools don't use most of them. Maybe ask the neuropsychogist if she can recommend a program you can purchase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like it means she is slow at processing visual information. It could affect her reading speed and ability to understand diagrams. Does she have trouble in these areas?

Diagrams, yes. Recent trouble reading, but used to be a reading superstar.

Wouldn’t she have been slow at SS, also, though?

Sounds like she is a smart kid who managed to compensate for her weaknesses in the past, but her strategies are failing as the demands get higher. SS is easier visually but requires more abstract reasoning, which may explain why she could still do that test.

For accomodations, extended test time would help. If she has trouble with diagrams, she may need explanations from the teacher if she has to extract information from them. For reading problems, there are a lot of programs to help reading, but schools don't use most of them. Maybe ask the neuropsychogist if she can recommend a program you can purchase.

Thanks, I’ll look into that. She has significant attitude issues (in therapy now, against her will), but Ill try to get her to do a reading program. Sigh.