How to Detect Reading/Learning Disabilities Using WISC-III
by Evelyn F. Searls, International Reading Association
Category: Education

This monograph describes the third edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III) and its relationship to reading/learning disabilities. It is designed for educators and students in education who want to go beyond the numerical values of the WISC-III intelligence quotients and understand the implications of the scores for the assessment and instruction of individual students. Chapter 1 discusses the use of intelligence tests and the WISC-III. The organization and administration of the WISC-III are addressed in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 describes each subtest as to the task involved, what purportedly is being measured, method of scoring, possible implications of high and low scores, and suggested relationships to reading. Chapter 4 presents procedures for analyzing WISC-III scores as a means of generating hypotheses about students' cognitive strengths and weaknesses that may affect reading ability. The final chapter discusses the research base by providing an overview of the research literature on the WISC series and reading/learning disabilities. Appendices include a WISC-III record form, a WISC-III data sheet, and an evaluation form that includes abilities measured by two or more WISC-III subtests. (Contains 74 references.) (CR)