Comparison of Stanford–Binet Fifth Edition Subscales in Students with Reading and Mathematics Learning Disabilities: A Cognitive Approach

Authors
Bahare Mohammadi
yasaman hashemi
Fateme Jahangirian
Atefeh Batwani
Abstract
The present study aimed to compare cognitive subscales—fluid reasoning, working memory, and visual-spatial processing—among students with reading and mathematics learning disabilities, with an emphasis on a cognitive perspective. This causal-comparative study initially involved a sample of 90 students (30 with reading disability, 30 with mathematics disability, and 30 typically developing students as the control group), selected through convenience sampling from counseling centers and psychological clinics in Tehran. After excluding 12 cases with incomplete data, the final analysis was conducted on 78 students. To assess cognitive components, the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scales, Fifth Edition (SB5) was used. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc tests. The findings revealed that students with learning disabilities performed significantly lower than the control group in the subscales of fluid reasoning, working memory, and visual-spatial processing (p < 0.05), while no significant differences were found between the reading and math disability groups. These results suggest that deficits in the assessed cognitive subscales are present in both types of learning disabilities and may contribute to academic underachievement. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of SB5 cognitive subscales in explaining learning difficulties and underscore the need for cognitive-based interventions aimed at strengthening these components to improve academic performance and reduce symptoms in students with reading and math learning disabilities.
Keywords
executive function
math disorder
reading disorder
learning disorder
intelligence profile
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