Weschsler Individual Achievement Test

This achievement test measures all of the standard achievement areas: reading recognition, reading comprehension, spelling, written language, math calculation, and math reasoning. Generally, this test is a measure of academic skills, independent of speed (the written language test is the only one with a time limit).

There is one distinct advantage using the WIAT over other achievement tests. When making comparisons between “intelligence” and achievement (as required for certification as Learning Disabled, the validity of the discrepancy calculation is increased when both the I.Q. test and the achievement test have been standardized together, as is the case with the WISC-III and the WIAT. In addition, there are software programs available for this I.Q./achievement ratio  which will do all of the calculations automatically.

Although not used in determining specific learning disabilities, there are other tests of performance that are useful to teachers and parents. The Vineland...was mentioned elsewhere in this report. Another example of a behavior assessment tool is the Behavior Assessment System for Children.

This system assesses a child's emotional and behavioral status. There are several components to this system which allow analysis from three perspectives: the parent, teacher and child. The ratings are made by each reporting source through questioning about the child's feelings, behaviors and attitudes in typical settings. Those ratings are then compared with a normative sample of children the same age as the subject. It is then possible to see if the subject child's ratings vary significantly from those of the norm. The scoring of this test is easily done through computer software or manually.

The Beery Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration is an assessment tool used for other special qualities. With this test, the child copies increasingly difficult geometric designs from a drawn sample. The test measures the child's visual motor development, assessing fine motor control and visual perception. The progression from very easy designs (e.g., straight lines) to more complex designs is very gradual. As such, children find this test generally easy and non-threatening. Even children who usually avoid pencil-paper tasks do not mind drawing these forms.

Results from this test are often comparable to those found on the Performance Scale of the Wechsler. Both results indicate the level of the child's non-verbal development. How well a child performs in drawing activities as measured on this test have direct implications on how well the child will be able to produce written material in the classroom.

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