Cognitive Assessment Tool Upgrade Provides More Information on Learning Disabilities
New
improvements
to a cognitive assessment tool will allow school and clinical
psychologists more access to test content and additional information
about a
student's learning processes specific to learning disabilities.
Pearson has introduced the fifth version of its Wechsler
Intelligence Scale for
Children (WISC-V), which gathers information about a child's
learning ability,
strengths and weaknesses and can help develop a personalized learning
plan for
students who need remediation.
The
latest
edition of the product includes access to new subtest
content and
increased coverage of cognitive processes important to specific learning
disability identification and intervention. It also can integrate
achievement
measures from tests like the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement and
the Wechsler
Individual Achievement Test.
"The
fifth
edition makes assessment and interpretation more effective and efficient
for clinicians," said Pearson Vice President of Cognition and
Neurobehavior
Abigail Batty, "and makes assessment more engaging for students."
For
the first time, the WISC-V, which measures cognitive ability for
children
ages 6-16, is available in both digital and traditional
paper-and-pencil
formats. The digital format is on Pearson's Q-interactive, which allows
clinicians to access their clients' assessment via a tablet.
"Digital
administration
of core psychological tests has been a fantastic development of
my practice," said clinical psychologist Patrick Aleknavicius. "The
combination
of Q-interactive and the updated WISC-V will allow for a more integrated
and
detailed understanding of a child's test scores and more targeted
interventions."
About the Author
Michael Hart is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the former executive editor of THE Journal.