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2 results

  • 3 - Evidence from Practice

  • David McLoughlin, University of Buckingham, Alan Martin, University of Buckingham
  • Book:
    Dyslexia and Working Memory
    Published online:
    07 May 2026
    Print publication:
    26 March 2026, pp 34-64

  • Summary

    This chapter presents empirical data from over 1,400 adult diagnostic assessments conducted over a 10-year period. It demonstrates that dyslexia persists into adulthood and is characterised by persistent cognitive-processing weaknesses – most notably in working memory. The assessments were carried out using a structured protocol that includes cognitive tests (primarily the WAIS-IV), rapid-naming measures, and targeted literacy evaluations. The authors emphasise that diagnostic assessments should not merely assign labels but provide meaningful explanations that foster understanding and self-advocacy. They criticise checklist-style assessments and instead advocate for a parsimonious, individualised approach that respects the person’s reported challenges. Importantly, the data reveals consistent patterns: while many adults with dyslexia demonstrate strengths in verbal and non-verbal reasoning, they also show notable discrepancies in working memory and processing speed. These differences help to explain functional difficulties and inform targeted strategies. The chapter reinforces the importance of ipsative analysis – comparing a person’s abilities against themselves – to identify meaningful discrepancies and promote effective support. Overall, it positions cognitive testing as a crucial tool for not only diagnosis but also empowering individuals to understand and navigate their difficulties.

  • Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults – Fourth Edition profiles of adults with autism spectrum disorder

  • G. Cicinelli, E. Nobile, S. Brighenti, S. Bari, E. Tonella, A. Aresi, M. Attanasio, M. Mazza, M. Valenti, R. Keller
  • Journal:
    Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences / Volume 31 / 2022
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    23 September 2022, e67
    • Article
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      • Open access
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  • Aim

    In this study, we have compared 229 Wechsler Adults Intelligence Scale – Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) cognitive profiles of different severity adults with autism spectrum disorder to verify the impact of several variables including sex, age, level of education and autism severity level in an Italian sample. Moreover, we wanted to find out the optimal cut points for the major intelligence quotients in order to discriminate autism severity levels.

    Methods

    Participants were recruited from two National Health System Center in two different Italian regions and were assessed with gold-standard instruments as a part of their clinical evaluation. According to DSM-5, cognitive domains were also measured with multi-componential tests. We used the Italian adaptation of WAIS-IV. We checked our hypotheses using linear regression models and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves.

    Results

    Our results showed that age and level of education have a strong impact on Verbal Comprehension (VCI) and Working Memory Indexes (WMI). Gender differences are relevant when considering the VCI and Processing Speed index (PSI) in which women obtained the best performance. These differences are still relevant when considering cut points of ROC because 69 resulted to be the optimal cut point for women, 65 for men.

    Conclusions

    Few conclusions can be assumed only examining Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) scores as it includes many different information about broader cognitive abilities. Looking deeper at main indexes and their subtests findings are consistent with previous research on the disorder (moderate correlations of FSIQ, Perceptual Reasoning index, WMI and PSI with the participants’ age), while other results are unforeseen (no effect of sex found on FSIQ score) or novel (significant effect of education on VCI and WMI). Using an algorithm predicting optimal cut point for discriminating through autism severity levels can help clinicians to better label and quantify the required help a person may need, a test cannot replace diagnostic and clinical evaluation by experienced clinicians.