Anonymous wrote:OP - my son took the WISC IV and the WISC V two years later:

1. You may see an overall decline because of the Flynn effect, but it may also be because there are some differences in the test (added, removed subtests)

2. I tend to think higher scores are more representative of true ability. Scores can be depressed for a number of reasons, but high scores are likely to only be inflated by the Flynn effect which isn't huge. (3 points per decade, possibly more in the extreme range).

3. If your daughter has ADHD - which is somewhat suggested by the low processing speed- her performance may vary dramatically in any given day.

4. The working memory is a boon- plenty of smart people who have academic difficulties due to a poor working memory.

5. The processing speed is something you want to get to the bottom of. It seems like a legitimate weakness, or even an impairment.

The Flynn effect describes changes in IQ scores across groups across decades. It's not going to explain changes in an individual IQ score over 2 years.

too much screen time

One thing I didn't see mentioned is that the WISC-V only uses the first 7 subtests to get the full scale IQ, whereas the WISC-IV used all ten core subtests. That can either be a benefit or a detriment, or have no effect, on a score, all depending on strengths, weaknesses, performances, etc. I'd instead focus on the GAI of both tests, although they, too, differ, and don't come immediately calculated on the IV like they do on the V...it's an extra step for the examiner. Comparing the GAIs would give you a better indicator of true IQ and the true change in IQ.
If her verbal/spatial was lower than her working memory/processing speed, that's where the 7 subtests vs 10 would be a detriment, because the V uses both verbal and spatial subtests to get an IQ but only one each of working memory/processing speed (Digit Span and Coding). Using the additional subtests would have boosted her previous score.
Additionally, it's not actually that uncommon for there to be a difference between age 7 and age 9. Children at age seven, depending on grade, are still quite a bit representations of their parents (parents' education level, life experience, commitment to education, supplementing instruction at home, etc). At nine, the playing field is far more level, and baseline intelligence is more likely to plateau.
Finally, a difference between high average and lower end of superior really isn't incredibly statistically significant in practice. They fall in two different standard deviations, of course, but barely. It could very well be that she is simply an average (per SDs) kiddo whose working memory and processing speed strengths lead her to perform relatively well in academics, which cause an appearance of superior intelligence. Executive functioning, of course, is proven to be a better indicator of academic performance than measured IQ.
I wouldn't worry too much. I give the Wechsler tests (WISC, WPPSI, WAIS, WASI), in addition to a variety of other cognitive/language/motor/executive functioning/memory/etc measures, on a daily basis in the assessments/evaluations I perform as part of my career. This includes assessing for giftedness and learning disabilities.

My DS had what we think was the WISC-IV (mislabeled as the WISC-V in his report) and then the WISC-V more properly administered less than 6 months later as part of a full neuro-psych. Usually they don't administer the WISC tests so close together but his psychologist saw a lot of discrepancies indicating it was the IV and not the V they claimed, so they ended up redoing it.

DS has severe ADHD-combined type and his scores changed dramatically. Most of them dropped, one by almost 20 points, though one went up by a few points from the IV to the V. Pretty much the only thing they agreed on was his processing speed scores are much lower than his average scores. His psychologist said the WISC can't be viewed as indicative of his intelligence .. only another view into his overall strengths and weaknesses.

Anonymous wrote:You helicoptered too close and it had a negative IQ impact. On both of you.

Another helpful answer. +1

bump

Tests are notoriously inaccurate, and I believe NOT a good judge of intelligence.

First, IQs tests are accurate a +\-5 points, so it is possible to get a 10 point drop or raise on a fully valid test. Second, we just say this happen to DD when she was being evaluated for ADHD & anxiety Psychologist said first, higher IQs (In the context of AAP) were a "more accurate reflection," and second, lower scores were reflective of ADHD having a bigger impact as she is getting older, and of test anxiety DD had developed in the last year.

You helicoptered too close and it had a negative IQ impact. On both of you.

Anonymous wrote:OP - my son took the WISC IV and the WISC V two years later:

1. You may see an overall decline because of the Flynn effect, but it may also be because there are some differences in the test (added, removed subtests)

2. I tend to think higher scores are more representative of true ability. Scores can be depressed for a number of reasons, but high scores are likely to only be inflated by the Flynn effect which isn't huge. (3 points per decade, possibly more in the extreme range).

3. If your daughter has ADHD - which is somewhat suggested by the low processing speed- her performance may vary dramatically in any given day.

4. The working memory is a boon- plenty of smart people who have academic difficulties due to a poor working memory.

5. The processing speed is something you want to get to the bottom of. It seems like a legitimate weakness, or even an impairment.

What a helpful answer. Thank you so much!

OP - my son took the WISC IV and the WISC V two years later:

1. You may see an overall decline because of the Flynn effect, but it may also be because there are some differences in the test (added, removed subtests)

2. I tend to think higher scores are more representative of true ability. Scores can be depressed for a number of reasons, but high scores are likely to only be inflated by the Flynn effect which isn't huge. (3 points per decade, possibly more in the extreme range).

3. If your daughter has ADHD - which is somewhat suggested by the low processing speed- her performance may vary dramatically in any given day.

4. The working memory is a boon- plenty of smart people who have academic difficulties due to a poor working memory.

5. The processing speed is something you want to get to the bottom of. It seems like a legitimate weakness, or even an impairment.

"its somewhat controversial use", not "it's", sorry...

Your daughter's score differential IS unusual, OP. What did the psychologist say? Was she tested by the same psychologist or psych office? Each psychologist tests children in their own idiosyncratic way, even though they all follow testing procedures. Another possibility is that either one or the other of these tests could have been administered wrong.
Was your daughter medicated while taking the second test? I mention this because of the processing speed delta. This screams inattentive ADHD to me, and I wonder if she was under meds for ADHD the second time around.

True facts:
1. IQ scores can and do vary during an individual's life, even by that much, and sometimes more!
2. The WISC-IV and WISC-V are not directly comparable.

IQ scores are extremely valuable tools to study human brain development in health, trauma and illness, but there are limits to its usefulness in education, hence it's somewhat controversial use to select students for private and magnet schools, as well as special education settings.

Don't worry too much. Just make sure she's challenged appropriately and see if you can identify persistent weaknesses that she can work on. For example, if the psychologist noticed she didn't so well in visual-spatial reasoning, you can introduce her to some origami!

Frequent use of personal electronic devices could push IQ down.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was given the WISC IV at 7 years 9 months and received an iq score of 124. Both Verbal & Non Verbal were in the high 90's, Working Memory 75th, and processing speed 3rd - yes that's right 3rd percentile.
She was just recently given the WISC V at 9 years 6 month, this time her overall score was 111. Her processing and working memory both increased to 27th and 93rd percentiles respectively, but her verbal and visual-spatial dropped to 77th and 83rd percentiles. I guess I'm just flabbergasted how a child's iq can decrease by 13 points in less than two years. Nothing stressful has happened in her life. She was not sick at the time of testing and she had received a good night's sleep.

Her IQ will get even lower when she reaches 15 to 18 years old.