Can someone tell me more about "nonverbal reasoning" and if/why that skill is important?

[neighbour]

My ds 8 has had lots of problems at school, mainly socially--he's slightly dyspraxic, terrible at sports, shy, and the boys make fun of him because he stutters slightly.

So I was pleased for him when he scored very high on his nonverbal reasoning tests because it's nice to know that your child has something he's good at which will maybe help him along in school and in life.

So that's my question: is it a relevant skill? What does good non-verbal reasoning suggests? What is he likely to be good at if anything?

non-verbal reasoning is kind of problem solving skills that don't rely on language - if he has scored highly in this but not other tests it would imply that he is strongly at things without a language component.

If you know the test (and scores even) I might be bale to tell you more.

Things like engineering would rely almost totally on maths and non-verbal reasoning, wouldn't it?

Architecture, other 'real' things.

I bet he's great with Lego.

Unfortunately I didn't think to ask the teacher his actual score BBBee, but she indicated it was a bit scary.

As for his math and verbal scores: good, but didn't stand out or anything. So I don't think he's particularly handicapped in those other areas, it's just that's he's shown strength in that one specific area.

I'm just so happy he has an (apparent) talent in something. if that means stuff like engineering, which Colditz suggested, that's great. . .whatever it is, that's fab.

he hates Lego, and is rather rubbish with them. . .

maybe the test was a fluke.

Well it doesn't really matter, I was just curious as had never really heard of the term "nonverbal reasoning.

my cousin has good non verbal reasoning skills and he worked in computing and with some exciting orgnisations.

what does he like doing in his spare time ? knex? computers? chess?

I know that one of the indicators for diagnosing dyspraxia is that there is usually a significant difference between someones non-verbal IQ (usually lower)and verbal IQ (usually higher)

If he did well on non verbal reasoning then he might be good at games with a strategic component.
"Gamewright" do a really good selection as our DD is very good at non verbal reasoning and beats me in games with a skill element.
Ravensburg also do a great game called "Labyrinth". And try Blokus duo.
Non verbal reasoning is a good life skill and is the sort of thing employers look for in those test things for jobs as it is not usual. this is why private schools use them as a marker for entry.

that's great to hear, Miggsie. You answered the question I was getting at: is it a "life skill" kind of thing or is it just sort of a useless testing parameter.

You're right, he's terribly good at Blokus etc. Also scary-good at monopoly. OK at chess but not the world's greatest, but quite good.

thanks to everyone else too for your help.