Adult Cognitive Testing

[Quirk]

I was wondering if anyone knows anyone who's ever had any kind of cognitive/learning disability testing done as an adult, and whether they were able to get some useful insights from it.

My school years are long behind me, and I've managed to become reasonably successful in life, but I've always felt somewhat unresolved about my uneven academic career, and frustrated at the fact that I've never been able to really understand the source of the assorted academic difficulties I experienced at various points. Maybe I'm just being neurotic, and should just accept that I "suck" at certain things, or that "my brain just isn't good at processing 'X' type of information" but it's frustrating not being able to clearly understand exactly what "X" is.

Anyways, any info/feedback would be appreciated.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Yes, my wife spends much of her life giving these tests. If you have any specific questions, pm me and I will ask her.

 

[Quirk]

Thanks. Not sure if I can formulate any intelligent questions at this point, I'm basically just trying to inquire whether anyone's had personal experience with using the testing, because I'm trying to find out specifically what kind of information the tests can provide about the kinds of learning some people have difficulty with -- i.e., are there tests that help me understand specifically why quadratic equations made sense to me in school, but derivatives didn't -- that sort of thing.

If your wife can just suggest a website where I can start to get some good info about adult testing/learning styles, etc., that alone would be useful; so far, most of what I've been able to find on the net is geared towards testing kids for stuff like reading problems, dyslexia, difficulty with elementary mathematics, etc. -- I didn't really have those kinds of more common/easily-definable difficulties.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Well, the two tests that you are likely to get are the WJ-3 and the WAIS. The WJ3 gives you a cognitive and achievement score and tries to explain the differences between the way your brain works and what you have been able to learn. The WAIS is more of an "intelligence test" in that it gives an IQ score, but it basically breaks down the different components of intelligence to help you understand the problems that you may have.

What you need to get a really good feeling about why you see certain things certain ways is a good assessor. You should look up the Association of Educational Therapists in your area for recs.

I will ask her if there is any other info that I should pass on.

 

[Quirk]

Originally Posted by iammatt

Well, the two tests that you are likely to get are the WJ-3 and the WAIS. The WJ3 gives you a cognitive and achievement score and tries to explain the differences between the way your brain works and what you have been able to learn. The WAIS is more of an "intelligence test" in that it gives an IQ score, but it basically breaks down the different components of intelligence to help you understand the problems that you may have.

What you need to get a really good feeling about why you see certain things certain ways is a good assessor. You should look up the Association of Educational Therapists in your area for recs.

I will ask her if there is any other info that I should pass on.

I thank you, and my mis-wired brain thanks you. And your wife.

 

[MrRogers]

Originally Posted by Quirk

I was wondering if anyone knows anyone who's ever had any kind of cognitive/learning disability testing done as an adult, and whether they were able to get some useful insights from it.

My school years are long behind me, and I've managed to become reasonably successful in life, but I've always felt somewhat unresolved about my uneven academic career, and frustrated at the fact that I've never been able to really understand the source of the assorted academic difficulties I experienced at various points. Maybe I'm just being neurotic, and should just accept that I "suck" at certain things, or that "my brain just isn't good at processing 'X' type of information" but it's frustrating not being able to clearly understand exactly what "X" is.

Anyways, any info/feedback would be appreciated.

I am trained to provide psychoed and personality testing to children and adults. A psychoed eval is right up your alley; many people come in for testing seeking a better understading of their strengths and weakness, for no other reason that personal growth and development. Depending on the areas of weakness, there may be some skills you can learn in therapy to overcome dificulties in certain areas.

Be forewarned though, a proper, thorough psychoed eval will not come cheap. You can have one done through local college and university mental health clinics for a reduce fee, however a psychologist in private practice specializing in assessment can charge up to 2-3k.

Not to discount Iammatt's post, but rather just offering my own input. The tests given will depend entirely on the issues causing you difficulty in your daily life. Most do begin however, administering the WAIS-III and WIAT, and comparing the scores to determine strengths and weaknesses. The woodcock johnson is used at times to satisfy the request of a certain university in which a client may be looking to receive accomodations, however administering the WJ and the WAIS is redundant.

Good luck
MrR

 

[itsstillmatt]

MrR-

She says that in normal locales you are probably right, but that since San Francisco refuses to accept any info from a test that includes the words IQ, she has become accustomed to using the WJ. In her opinion, the performance part of the WJ is better than the WIAT, and the WAIS and WJ3 can be used togeter very successfully to ferret out some of the difficult to find problems.

She would also like me to say that for an adult who is more interested than in need, the WAIS is what she would suggest as it is overally the most insightful test and it is a relatively fun experience for most adults who take it, especially those who are pretty introspective.

Your cost estimate is right on.

 

[MrRogers]

Originally Posted by iammatt

MrR-

She says that in normal locales you are probably right, but that since San Francisco refuses to accept any info from a test that includes the words IQ, she has become accustomed to using the WJ. In her opinion, the performance part of the WJ is better than the WIAT, and the WAIS and WJ3 can be used togeter very successfully to ferret out some of the difficult to find problems.

She would also like me to say that for an adult who is more interested than in need, the WAIS is what she would suggest as it is overally the most insightful test and it is a relatively fun experience for most adults who take it, especially those who are pretty introspective.

Your cost estimate is right on.

As i'm sure your wife can confirm, our field is not a finite science. My post was as much personal opinion as anything else. I didn't mean to discount the validity of your previous posts in any way.

MrR

 

[itsstillmatt]

Not at all, and she agrees.

 

[Quirk]

Ah, thank you, good sirs for the info. I'll try to research psychoed evaluators in the NY/NJ area. Part of my problem, I'm sure, is that I just never really learned how to be good at studying, at tuning out the distracting voices that get in the way when I'm reading material that holds no natural interest for me, and/or doesn't instantly come easily to me. But that's a whole other conversation. Anyways... thanks.

 

[globetrotter]

at one point I was tested extremly thouroughly, and had access to the results. I found it very helpful. for instance, I have mixed dominance, basically I do not have a clear dominant side, but as a child I was force to chose my left hand - this has masked the issue, not removed it. this effects a number of different things, and knowing about it has been helpful. a few other things, as well.

I highly recomend it.