Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Gifted and talented

Talk to other parents about parenting a gifted child on this forum.

High IQ / slow processing speed

19 replies

Mumto2two · 28/05/2020 10:28

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this? Our 10yo child had 2 EP assessments, 3 years apart. Both reports showed exceptionally high NVR/Maths ability, 146 - 152 on relevant scores. However, she scores low on processing speed; 80 on the first assessment aged 7, and 90 on the 2nd aged 10. She is extremely bright, also scores 135+ on verbal IQ..so in spite of significant set backs due to health throughout her primary years, she has managed to do very well academically. However, the slow processing is a concern. She takes ages to plan things, gets easily distracted, and although her school had allowed extra time with a score below 85, with a score of 90; she doesn’t qualify anymore. Are these scores not considered relative to ability in any way? Surely a child who has such a huge gap between ability and speed..can’t fulfil their potential to perform if not addressed at all? She sat all her 11+ tests without extra time, and in spite of not finishing the papers, still had high scores, so if she had finished, would have presumably been higher. While that’s not an issue for us, when it comes to GCSEs etc, it’s a concern. Why do exam boards set such an arbitrary marker for this? Would be interested to hear other experiences or thoughts on this. Thank you 🙏

OP posts:
Londonmummy66 · 01/06/2020 17:44

Has anyone looked at any of the issues around this beyond the straight EP report? I have a DC like this although the processing speed is more severe. It took a long time to get a full assessment but turns out that the biggest problem was having to read in silence - processing speeded up a lot when allowed own room to read out loud/talk through processing. Also now dx with dyspraxia which is often overlooked by EPs.

I can recommend an amazing place for assessment if you want to PM me.

Mumto2two · 02/06/2020 10:12

@Londonmummy66 Thank you, that’s really interesting. She does read aloud to herself when she’s alone; has been particularly obvious over the past few weeks of home school. She sits in her room talking away to herself as she reads out her assignments, does her work etc. She’ll be fully engrossed in what she’s doing, but finds talking herself through things really helps her focus. I had never really questioned it before, just seemEd to be her thing!
Although she’s got very advanced comprehension skills, and regularly comes top in school exams; she has always avoided reading. It’s always puzzled us; she’s been bottom of the reading tree for years..as in the number of books they read, yet has high comprehension scores. She says she finds reading books quite tiring, so I’m sure there must be more to it. I hadn’t ever considered dyspraxia, and I don’t think it was mentioned in her EP assessments. I’d like to look into it a little more, so will pm you for the details you mention. Thanks so much!

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 05/06/2020 09:42

My daughter had a processing score of 79 at 10 years and very high verbal reasoning in the 130s. She should have sat GCSEs this year so was reassessed in year 9 and it was quite comprehensive and there is a range of adaptations given she was due to have 75% extra time and use of a laptop for GCSEs, but there were others who had a lesser level of adaptations as they had slightly higher processing speeds.
There has to be a cut off somewhere I have a processing disorder too, but always fell just the side of the line that didn't get adaptations.
Getting planners to help with organisation, using high lighters in comprehensions ( yellow for feelings, interesting use of language, important bits of information).

dippycat7 · 22/06/2020 14:16

You mention your daughter finds reading tiring? You may want to explore a screening for Irlen Syndrome. It’s a visual processing disorder whereby sufferers can often find reading hard work due to distortions on the page.
My daughter was diagnosed 3 years ago - her IQ is normal but her processing speed much lower due to Irlens. She has coloured overlays when reading, coloured paper textbooks and photocopies and qualifies for extra time (or would have done if her GCSE’s weren’t cancelled!)

dippycat7 · 22/06/2020 14:17

irlen.com/what-is-irlen-syndrome/

hopsalong · 19/07/2020 23:18

Old thread, but if you're still there...

I would have her assessed for ADHD. Those results seem practically diagnostic to me. The good news is that many children grow out of it, and the meds are very effective and have been safely and widely prescribed for the last fifty years.

www.additudemag.com/slow-processing-speed-adhd-interventions/

hopsalong · 19/07/2020 23:18

Old thread, but if you're still there...

I would have her assessed for ADHD. Those results seem practically diagnostic to me. The good news is that many children grow out of it, and the meds are very effective and have been safely and widely prescribed for the last fifty years.

www.additudemag.com/slow-processing-speed-adhd-interventions/

adventuresintheforest · 26/07/2020 19:34

Hi, just found this thread and have read with great interest. I have a 7yo son who got assessed recently and also scored extremely high but his processing speed and central executives scores were 40 points lower in comparison to his IQ.

His phonological loop and phonological memory were even lower - almost 50 points lower in comparison to his IQ.

He does very well at school, but he has struggled to complete most of the school tasks during the lockdown. I'm worried for him as he may struggle in the future.

Any advice very much appreciated. Thanks!

CuppaZa · 26/07/2020 19:37

OP she sounds similar to me as a child. I was diagnosed as an adult with ADD. Have you looked into this possibility?

compulsivesnacker · 26/07/2020 19:47

I know it’s old but yes, ds1 same. He was dx with adhd. In all honesty, it made no difference. An explanation or dx explains the issue but doesn’t solve it.
Medicating helped a little but in reality he isn’t interested in favouring his academic intelligence over other aspects, so we’ve pretty much accepted that he won’t reach his academic potential. (He just deferred university as frankly he recognizes that studying online as opposed to face to face would be an abject failure). He’ll figure it out. He’s healthy, works in an extremely responsible job, and has a good group of friends. I do occasionally wonder ‘what could have been’ as his aptitude for numbers saw him self taught at 3 lol. But it’s his life, not mine. Grin

Annasgirl · 26/07/2020 19:52

Hi OP, you need an additional text. DS has this exact Issue and eventually the best of a of our Educational Psychologists recommended an occupational
Therapy assessment - needs to be a specialist, private and specializing in high IQ kids. Turns out DS has dyspraxia but again, not a typical kind, a particular processing and fine motor skills kind - he is excellent at sport so does not fit the normal profile.

This has helped no end - he now gets additional support in school and will have it at Uni if he goes there. It’s been life changing for him and for me.

Annasgirl · 26/07/2020 19:52

Additional test!!!!

2020wasShocking · 26/07/2020 19:55
adventuresintheforest · 09/10/2020 17:29

Hi, just posting here as I received a pm from someone regarding my post on this thread which I tried to reply to, but unfortunately it wouldn't let me send it. Tried sending it afresh but not sure if it got to them.

If you sent me a PM and are waiting for my response, I just wanted you to know that I've tried to reply. Sorry if it hasn't got to you. X

BlackeyedSusan · 23/10/2020 16:10

my autistic child was similar, but not quite as high or low but same pattern.

OhShutIt · 05/11/2020 22:26

EXACTLY the same profile here. Processing not slow 'enough', but VR, NVR, Math and English scores all in the top 0.5 percentile.

Regularly scoring 70% in exams because only answering 70% of the paper so 100% correct in the areas covered. However, comparative processing speed a massive issue.

DD has recently been diagnosed with ADHD.

Bramblecrumble · 19/11/2020 10:32

I just want to add, I was assumed dyslexic but did well academically. My mum wanted to get me an assessment but secondary school was not great and I was reluctant. I only got an assessment at university, due to handwriting really and got score similar to your son. I think some of my processing was lower, 50/60, but don't quote me and iq, around 145. I had university level reading material not in my subject so focused on the presentation rather than taking any of it in. In retrospect, more time for GCSEs would have helped as I had to be very stratigic to do it on time (quickly first run through, then slowly) essay based tests I didn't finish. I got all a*-c...so not failing. I didn't feel it was very fair to get extra time as I was bright enough to do okay....

DrAdamsftw · 21/02/2026 20:52

Hi, i read your post in 2025 you made in 2020 hopefully you still get notifications on this, or someone searching for similar answers finds the following helpful to understand their child, one's self, or society around them.
The consider the following as a tool for insight and not a diagnosis because i have a bias to point at the brains cerebral fissure.
.
What you discride is similar/akin too the the relationship of a common brain shape.
The brain has two hemispheres and the gap between is the cerebral fissure.
For a variety of reasons the communication is between these hemispheres can experience issues or delays and most humans figure out methods of compensating.
compensation methods;
memory maximizing technique example [Reading out loud as you look at the words and scrolling your fingers along the paper or a surface and adding a smell for association memory retention]
The purpose is engaging bolth hemispheres of the brain with as many sensory inputs as beneficial to the goal your trying to accomplish. - Learning- receving, repeating, retaining.

Issues that have a domino effect or vice-versa a domino effect causing issues.
Might involve anything that interfers or slows the signal between left and right brain hemispheres like mercury, lead, physical trauma, cemicals, or plain genetic depth of the fissure itself. With lables like, ADHD, add, dislexia, dismorphia, learning disabilities, not exactly split personalities and not exactly hearing ones own inner voice from the dissasociated subconscious hemopheres miscommunication but Tui kid iQ TwoE kid IQ is excersizing and rewarding one skillset over others making a person better in math but bad in English or excellent in history and memorization yet poorer in quardination or phys ed. And all the combinations indetween...

The following is more context in an Ai form you may better understand than my ramblings. Enjoy or tune out. Mehhh.

A deep cerebral fissure (or structural abnormality) that slows or disrupts the connection between brain hemispheres—typically involving the corpus callosum—results in a condition known as split-brain syndrome (if fully severed) or a significant reduction in interhemispheric transfer, known as agenesis of the corpus callosum (if congenital). This reduced connectivity causes the two halves of the brain to function more independently, leading to issues with information integration, motor coordination, and cognitive processing.

Key Effects on Brain Function

  • Impaired Information Transfer: The brain cannot quickly transfer sensory or cognitive information between the left (language-dominant) and right (spatial-dominant) hemispheres. For instance, if an object is held in the left hand (processed by the right hemisphere), the person may be unable to name it because the information cannot reach the language center in the left hemisphere.
  • Motor Coordination Problems (Ataxia): Because the corpus callosum mediates the coordination of both sides of the body, slowed or severed communication can lead to significant coordination problems, such as difficulty walking, writing, or using both hands together (bimanual tasks).
  • "Alien Hand" Syndrome: A rare but distinct symptom where one hand acts independently and without the person’s conscious, voluntary control, often acting in opposition to the other hand.
  • Cognitive and Learning Deficits: Affected individuals often experience slower processing speeds, particularly with complex or novel problem-solving tasks.
  • Language and Social Challenges: While the left hemisphere handles most language, the right hemisphere handles prosody and context. Poor connectivity can cause issues with understanding sarcasm, metaphors, and social nuances, sometimes resulting in social immaturity or reduced verbal IQ.
  • Epilepsy/Seizures: Reduced connectivity can be a cause or consequence of seizures. However, intentionally severing the corpus callosum (corpus callosotomy) is actually used as a last-resort treatment to stop the spread of severe epilepsy from one hemisphere to the other.
  • Cleveland Clinic +6
Compensation and Reorganization Despite these deficits, the brain often shows remarkable adaptability. In cases of congenital absence (agenesis), the brain may form alternative, albeit less efficient, pathways for communication, allowing many individuals to function with minimal to mild, rather than severe, impairment
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread