Processing speed in Gifted Children as Measured by the WISC V: It's Just Wrong

Proceedings: Abstracts of the 4th World Conference on Psychology and Behavioral Science

Paul Beljan

Abstract

This presentation will discuss why the Processing Speed Index (PSI) of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fifth Edition (WISC V) should not be considered in assessing gifted intellect. Processing speed in humans occurs in hundredths of thousandths of milliseconds. In fact, a magnetoencephalogram is used to measure the speed of neuronal communication, but the WISC V uses a stopwatch. This presentation is based on the presenter's research article: Processing Speed in Gifted Children: A Clinical Neuropsychological Perspective, which is set for publication in the February 2024 Special Issue of the Roeper Review. The research shows that the WISC V Processing Speed Index (PSI) as measured by the WISC V yields lower scores in gifted children compared with their neurotypical counterparts. This presentation will explain why gifted children score lower on the PSI. The attendees will learn a proper method for assessing processing speed in gifted children. The objective of this lecture is to further reduce possible misdiagnosis in the population.