Hello - Can anyone tell me what the Problem Solving section of the Brigance Test exactly measures?
We live in Texas, this test was administered to my now 15 year old last year in 8th grade, where she attended Resource class for content mastery only. I’ve only just now found she scored very low on this section, as it apparently was glossed over in her ARD. I know it wasn’t discussed with me verbally.
I’m trying to learn how as a parent I can help but first need to know what that is. I know she has difficulty with sequencing…I remember years ago my brother (same genetics!) was encouraged to play chess. Anyone get any other recommendations?
Thanks
Re: chess anyone? :-)
Thanks Victoria, she’s been playing violin in school for going on 5 years. She’s got a natural ability but her adhd prevents her from applying herself.
The reason I posted was hoping someone might know of the Brigance test results. Problem solving is I believe broader in scope than math problems, but to be able to cope with life in general. It may be the teen years, but I see her reacting to obstacles with emotional outbursts or other unconstructive ways. Just hoping for a tip.
you can have an assessment in speech and language
Specifically problem solving. There are tests that examine this in Adolescents, One is called the ATOPS or the Adolescent Test of Problem Solving. But with ADHD executive functioning and organization are going to be a real issue as one needs the skill set for organization to put the pieces in order to solve it.
I would suggest lots of word problems using things like percentages off of items, or purchasing things you don’t have the money for, how long you would need to save for it. When she starts earning money get her a checkbook, have her balance it, give her a budget…Also teaching her skills to plan, how much time she needs to study for finals, exams, organizational skills to clean her room, what steps she needs to follow. You may be surprised to find that working her through day to day activities will give her the skills she needs to be successful in her future adult life.
Re: chess anyone? :-)
Sorry, I can’t help you with the Brigance.
There are a lot of games that work on reasoning and strategies. All of them are likely to be useful in one way or another.
The SET game is one that works on non-verbal reasoning. (Website is http://www.setgame.com ). The Rush Hour games also works on non-verbal reasoning, but in a different way. There are two workbooks from http://www.criticalthinking.com that can be helpful for developing visual-spatial reasoning.
A cognitive skills training program might be very helpful for her. These programs work on a wide range of skills, including sequencing and reasoning. PACE (http://www.processingskills.com ) is a provider-based program. BrainSkills (http://www.brainskills.com ) is the home version of PACE. Another program, Audiblox (http://www.audiblox2000.com ) is good also, but probably does not address quite as many areas as PACE.
Is non-verbal learning disability a possibility? Websites with information about NLD are http://www.nldline.com and http://www.nldontheweb.org .
Nancy
Wow
Thank you Nancy! Those are great ideas, the websites have got me excited. I can’t believe how much I don’t know after all these years of trying to learn how to help my dd. I admit I lose my drive to keep trying when I have to fight with her, the school…etc.
I did finally get my answer about the section of the Brigance from her old (middle) school’s SpEd advisor. That section was all word problems, several with multiple steps. With the difficulty she has with reading comp, prioritizing, and sequencing I understand how she did so poorly.
I don’t know much about NVLD, but reading the description most of it fits, but not all. For example, she’s been dancing ballet for years, and again, tho’ she lags behind the others who’ve been dancing the same number of years, that is more because of immaturity and definitely not lack of motor skills. The sensory, social, all that describes her to a “T”.
You have definitely given me a new direction - and renewed my motivation!
Well, chess is highly recommended. The French schools in our province have made chess a required part of the curriculum and have raised their math scores impressively (meanwhile the English schools won’t touch it, sigh). Before chess you could start with checkers. If you can stand them (I can’t but that’s personal) you could also try card games that require strategy and memory.
Oddly enough, playing music is often allied to mathematical skill, and to academic success in general. If you possibly can, get the child formal music lessons, any instrument but definitely including teaching reading music and later the theory.