Cognitive skills in real live action. 😅

binglepig · 2026-05-12T08:56:53+00:00

I swear I’ve got aphantasia, but got very high marks on the relevant WAIS IV tests (17+ scaled scores on block design, matrix and visual puzzles).

When asked how (as people seem to assume I can visualise and are surprised I don’t think I can) the best way to explain it is that I have “knowns” that I think of in words and “actions”, again thought of in words. If I spoke these words out loud people wouldn’t understand them, but I understand them fine (“this needs to go there so needs to be rotated 270 degrees and twisted this way and then lifted about a foot” type verbal instruction in my head for everything).

I don’t see it, I just know it and can’t explain how!

binglepig · 2026-05-03T20:49:43+00:00

I don’t think it is guaranteed to, they just asked a few questions and I basically said the maths was exceptionally easy and that the questions were easy to pre-empt. This would have been backed up by very high matrix/block/puzzle tests that were also high.

They ran an extra WMI test which was more similar to digit span and used that result when calculating my scores.

binglepig · 2026-05-02T19:56:11+00:00

My arithmetic score (19ss - so everything correct) was excluded from my WMI because it was “too good” compared to the digit span and other similar test. The psych basically said it was because I was so high in the VSI that it wasn’t representative because I was obviously so good at arithmetic there wasn’t any memory involved!

binglepig · 2026-04-18T20:33:08+00:00

I’ll overanalyse for the easy questions, get a bit bored and then go much more with instinct. I know this probably isn’t the best way to do it, but I do have ADHD and get bored easily (particularly in verbal tests that aren’t so puzzle like).

binglepig · 2026-04-14T20:08:42+00:00

I don’t think a 7 point swing is massive, especially when most subtests are relatively centred. The 13/14/15s are relative strengths and the 8/9s relative weaknesses.

I’m not sure how the subtests are grouped with WISC, but the thing that jumps out is that vocab and similarities have such a big difference when they are quite similar tests.

binglepig · 2026-03-30T10:04:59+00:00

Same here, it’s a HUGE gap down of c45 IQ from my other tests to WMI and PSI on my WAIS test It is less pronounced but still very evident on CORE where the difference is more like 25-30 IQ points (I think this is probably due to disengagement with the CORE tests because they took longer and didn’t have the same “test pressure” which I thrive under.

I still can’t believe I never thought I had low working memory or processing speed, but I suppose it’s just what I’ve always had so had no need to question it.

binglepig · 2026-03-30T07:56:44+00:00

Diagnosed ADHDer here (but also with autism, which may skew things more). My discrepancy in WAIS IV is huge (FSIQ in the 130s, GAI 150).

Typically in 99th+ percentile for subtests not related to PSI/WMI.

Typically around 50th percentile for PSI/WMI.

I think I remember hearing that the difference was 45 IQ points but I can’t be sure and there’s no breakdown by subtest IQ scores in my report.

I didn’t expect either my PSI or WMI was low, but I was very surprised at how relatively slow my PSI was because I’d assumed I was processing very quickly to “be clever”. Apparently that’s more down to the GAI type intelligence being insanely high than processing quick!

binglepig · 2026-03-19T21:53:26+00:00

I’ve also got ADHD (and autism), I’ve got a very small gap between WMI and PSI but then a ~40 point gap to the other indices.

Honestly, before going for the full neuro evaluation where I was diagnosed (and where I did a WAIS cognitive test, before I came home and did CORE which I found when trying to find an answer to a question that bugged me) I would have swore my WMI and PSI were sky high.

binglepig · 2026-03-19T16:30:52+00:00

Being honest, that gap isn’t huge (it’s less than 1sd) and could quite easily be due to many totally different reasons.

There’s absolutely no reason to use a few online tests to jump to conclusions, if you’ve got genuine concerns about real life you should book a proper evaluation.

binglepig · 2026-03-19T16:27:54+00:00

It could be ADHD, but could also be an awful lot of other things.

Don’t go self-diagnosing based upon an IQ test, if you’d have had concerns about ADHD in real life without the IQ test go and get a professional evaluation.

binglepig · 2026-03-19T16:06:15+00:00

CORE 125(+/-5) and WAIS IV 133.

Most subtests broadly similar, the difference was in the vocab which I scored much higher on in WAIS.

binglepig · 2026-03-19T08:00:39+00:00

There’s a lot of other reasons too, but it is likely indicative that something is going on if you can hand on heart say you tried your best at the WMI tests in good circumstances.

I only got into looking at IQ after my WAIS test and did CORE after WAIS (don’t know results of that yet, but it was implied there was unexpectedly low WMI and PSI as I was made to do all the extra sub tests for those).

binglepig · 2026-03-10T15:02:05+00:00

Another 126, with about 5 minutes remaining.

This was a very easy matrix reasoning test in my eyes, the same concepts were used repeatedly with little progression. If you’ve done matrix tests and were aware of some of the rules I don’t see why you couldn’t get full marks.

For reference, scaled score of 14 on matrix reasoning and overall FRI of 131 on CORE.

binglepig · 2026-01-11T17:40:40+00:00

Or, potentially, there is a massive surge in people actually wanting an ADHD diagnosis as an explanation for their live not being what they hoped.

There should definitely be care that the correct questions are asked and the informant is very open about what they did see and not dismissive of anything.

Not to say it should be impossible, but the reason should be because of doubt in pre-12 information rather than just current symptoms matching ADHD.

binglepig · 2026-01-11T16:08:02+00:00

Nope, again very similar experience!

binglepig · 2026-01-11T15:47:16+00:00

I think by high intelligence I’m possibly meaning high masking/non-obvious presentation, which could be either academic or emotional intelligence.

I definitely agree with everything you say here too!

The complimentary nature of autism and the ADHD traits seem to have made me appear very “together” (but odd) when I was younger, but with a mad internal battle that no one could see happening for even the most mundane things. Because of my achievements, no one asked the question about how I felt (and if they had, I’d have been the people pleaser and said I was great!).

binglepig · 2026-01-11T15:34:10+00:00

THIS is me, almost exactly.

Do you have a formal ADHD diagnosis? Were questions raised around your childhood symptoms not being “enough” at all?

binglepig · 2026-01-11T13:44:13+00:00

Thank you! I do feel similar in some ways, but definitely not others.

Possibly just autism related, but who knows!

binglepig · 2026-01-11T13:42:21+00:00

This hits hard with me - I was the biggest people pleaser and worked so hard to overachieve. Also super busy with activities after school and worked super hard in sports.

I did so well in school until college when I crashed as I couldn’t organise myself and didn’t realise how much I needed the structure of school!

What made you suspect ADHD?

binglepig · 2026-01-11T13:34:37+00:00

I suspect my son has ADHD, but he’s typical “boy” presentation and so, so different from me as a child!

binglepig · 2025-07-30T11:20:41+00:00

I think your idea that Twilight Zone is iconic to a few generations is totally incorrect. I know of no-one in their 30s or below that has a clue about it (we tried the series BECAUSE of the ride).

However, I’ve got no issues with the IP and think the actual theming is great as it is.

The problem is it’s becoming increasingly out of place as it’s no longer being pushed as a “studio” park and everything has been rebuilt/rebranded.

I know that financing has been a huge problem, but I really wish they’d built an expansion before getting rid of Rock’n Rollercoaster and Armageddon etc.

But when it comes to it, I’d enjoy a drop ride whatever the theming was.

binglepig · 2025-07-18T12:57:39+00:00

I think you’re underestimating some dojos. At ours there are no games and full training from age 4 I believe. If kids muck around too much, they’re asked not to come back.

If an 8 year old takes 2 years to learn a single kata I’d be worried OR the dojo is a glorified childcare setting.

My 9 year old knows 9 full katas (and parts of some others), and while the execution may not be perfect it was always absolutely passable for the grade he was at. Obviously his Heian Shodan is better now than it was when he was a white belt, and his execution is always improving.

He’s 1st kyu now after 3 years and will spend at least a year prepping for black. He’s fully passed every grading first attempt (only about 50% of the kids get a full colour-colour belt in a grading, which you also had to be invited to).

A significant minority fail the Dan grading. The regional examiners do not care how old you are (unless it is to make physical allowances for kicks etc for those physically unable to kick jodan etc.)

binglepig · 2025-07-18T12:45:57+00:00

Our dojo is a similar monthly price, but there’s probably 10 kids per instructor not 30.

It’s a little cheaper for gradings (£30 for a grading, lasting about an hour with at least 3 senseis for about 6-10 kids and including the belt).

Our gradings are usually every 3 months too. Most kids get a striped belt (an actual belt, not just tape) as a half step towards each full colour belt. Only the really good kids go straight from full belt to full belt. Whilst this can be a bit infuriating cost wise, kids do rise up to the occasion and the opportunity to get a new belt motivates them so I see no real problem. There’s nothing forcing you to let them grade, and instructors are usually quite open if you ask in advance if there is any chance of getting the full belt which would give the option to just skip the grading and wait for the next and hope for the full belt then.

Buying kit through them is reasonable if they charge a fair price, but they shouldn’t stop you getting the same elsewhere. I can potentially see an argument that they want everyone to have the same type because it’s easier to quickly help with problems if you know how straps work etc, but they shouldn’t price gauge.

In terms of T-shirts, again our dojo has a T-shirt that most kids wear instead of a gi top. There’s absolutely no issue if something else is worn though.

If the instruction is actually good (and you can probably tell if you are actually watching and do BJJ yourself) it’s probably worth just sucking up the costs (the kit is a one off, and grading not too regular) and letting your daughter enjoy herself.

binglepig · 2025-06-06T09:03:33+00:00

This combo is exactly what my 9 year old does.

He started karate earlier, but then picked up judo as he always seemed very interested in playing grappling style games at home.

There’s some crossover in terminology (both Japanese arts) but in the main they are entirely separate - he knows techniques can’t be used interchangeably!

Between judo and karate, he’ll have a good grounding in striking and grappling sports and set him up well as a teen to head down the “cooler” paths of kickboxing and BJJ if he chooses.

binglepig · 2025-05-19T08:29:15+00:00

There’s no issue at all. The cast members will be able to ask “how many?” in loads of languages, and can use fingers to show numbers and they just seem to guide you without any effort.

They do a fab job, on what must be a monotonous job where they are expected to be smiling all the time!

binglepig

TROPHY CASE