Understanding Cognitive Splits

In the complex world of treatment, psychological assessments emerge not just as tools, but as bridges—connecting our client’s internal world with the tailored care they desperately need. Among the varying concerns that our assessments capture, a cognitive split is a presentation that stands out.  Often unidentified as a child develops, due to dynamics described below, we at ClearView refer to such a presentation as a “secret struggle” that, without proper assessment, goes undetected. But what exactly is a cognitive split, and why does it demand our attention and understanding?

Cognitive splits, or significant disparities in an individual’s cognitive abilities, can often be the silent culprits behind a range of social, emotional, educational, and behavioral issues faced by our clients. By diagnosing and understanding cognitive splits, we can begin to offer individualized care that not only acknowledges but supports the complexity of one’s cognitive landscape.

What are Cognitive Splits?

Cognitive splits refer to significant discrepancies within an individual’s intellectual profile, as assessed by four key domains: Verbal Intelligence, Non-verbal/Spatial Intelligence, Working Memory, and Processing Speed. Such imbalances can range from a pronounced divide between verbal and non-verbal intelligence to distinct contrasts like slower processing speed or sluggish working memory compared to other cognitive abilities.

These varying cognitive presentations, determined by a combination of genetics, environmental factors, and personal history, shape a unique intellectual landscape for every client. For instance, one may have a flair for articulating thoughts, but struggle with tasks requiring visual-spatial skills or non-verbal understanding. Conversely, another may have strong spatial abilities yet falter with verbal and written communication tasks. Current research and clinical insights indicate that cognitive splits are more widespread than previously acknowledged (Margolis et. al, 2020). These intellectual disparities often lurk behind overt behaviors or are obscured by the individual’s own compensatory strategies.

Impact on the Individual

Disparities inherent in cognitive splits extend beyond academic achievement, and can deeply influence one’s social interactions, self-esteem, and emotional well-being. A pattern we see often in the clients we assess is what we refer to as “verbal mind dominance,” where verbal abilities are markedly strong—sometimes registering as superior—while non-verbal skills are average or below average. This relative difference means that their non-verbal abilities, though perhaps not deficient on a normative scale, trail behind their exceptional verbal skills.

This high verbal/low non-verbal split can manifest in various ways. Socially, these adolescents may excel in debates, storytelling, or any arena that values linguistic skill. However, they tend to be overly-literal and may falter in reading body language, understanding spatial relationships, or “reading between the lines”—all skills which are crucial for relationships and non-verbal communication. They might not pick up on subtle facial expressions or social cues, leading to misunderstandings. While they can discuss complex concepts, their ability to ‘read the room’ is compromised, which can lead to social disconnect and isolation.

Even without a formal, normative deficit in non-verbal skills, the relative disparity between verbal and non-verbal abilities can still impact their overall functioning. Socially, these individuals might appear awkward or out of sync with their peers, which can be misinterpreted as disinterest or aloofness. Academically, they may underperform in subjects that require strong visual-spatial abilities, like math, despite their strong verbal reasoning.

This type of discrepancy, where a relative cognitive deficit creates a sort of bottleneck for other cognitive abilities, can result in a pattern of underachievement and disengagement from both academic and social spheres, while fueling a chronic cycle of overwhelm, frustration, and insecurity. For educators and caregivers, recognizing the signs of cognitive splits can be challenging, as these adolescents often develop sophisticated coping mechanisms that mask their difficulties. These discrepancies and accompanying compensatory strategies can lead to mislabeling of these individuals as lazy or unmotivated, further entrenching their struggles.

Assessment and Identification

Comprehensive psychological assessments are key to uncovering cognitive splits, utilizing a range of standardized tests to evaluate various aspects of intelligence and processing capabilities. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V), for example, provides insights into each of the four intellectual domains, offering a detailed view of where disparities lie. Our assessments take a comprehensive and nuanced approach, carefully considering our client’s developmental background, socioeducational history, and co-existing psychological issues. Within that context we paint a picture of how a cognitive split may impact their external behavior and internal world.

Identifying cognitive splits is only the first step; the real work lies in tailoring treatment and educational interventions that address these disparities. Educational strategies might include the use of visual aids for those with verbal comprehension difficulties or providing written instructions for those who struggle with processing speed. Therapeutic interventions may focus on building self-esteem, teaching coping strategies for frustration and anxiety, and improving social skills through role-playing and social stories.

Case Study

Consider the case of “Emma,” a 15-year-old who was in treatment for anxiety, difficulty with emotion regulation, and poor self-esteem. Emma excelled in language arts, but struggled in math and science classes, which her teachers attributed to an unwillingness to apply herself. Emma also faced difficulties in her relationships. She was adept at verbal communication, but would often misinterpret non-verbal signals, leading to social missteps and a sense of isolation. Her friends and family members found her to be a great conversationalist, but they also noted her insensitivity to the unspoken nuances of their interactions. Emma felt this disconnect acutely, which compounded her frustration and affected her self-esteem.

After a comprehensive evaluation, her cognitive profile revealed a verbal mind dominance. Her deficits were not due to a lack of effort, but because of her relative difficulties in grasping spatial and abstract concepts that are less reliant on verbal skills. Emma’s cognitive strengths in verbal areas suggested a mismatch between her innate abilities and the demands of environments that prioritized spatial or non-verbal skills. The bottleneck caused by her comparatively weaker non-verbal skills resulted in significant frustration, triggering a cycle of shame and self-esteem issues that further exacerbated her emotional symptoms.

Along with identifying a cognitive split, our reports always include tailored recommendations. The treatment recommendations for Emma included strategies to harness her verbal strengths and address areas of weakness. Some examples included:

  • Social skills training to enhance her understanding of non-verbal cues and abstract concepts to bridge gaps in her social interactions.
  • Personalized math tutoring that leveraged her verbal strengths, employing word problems and verbal explanations to bridge her understanding of mathematical concepts.
  • Working with her therapist to help her to better understand her verbal mind dominance and recognize her worth as independent of this challenge, and thereby boost her self-confidence

Through this targeted approach, Emma began to see improvements in her relationships as she gained tools to better navigate her social world, recognizing and compensating for her non-verbal communication gaps. With continued support, Emma also started to improve her academic trajectory and cultivated a healthier sense of self-worth.

Conclusion

Navigating cognitive splits is a complex, yet deeply rewarding challenge. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach that values comprehensive assessment, individualized intervention, and close collaboration among other treatment and educational professionals, we can unlock the potential of these young individuals. It’s not just about bridging the gaps in their cognitive abilities; it’s about opening doors to a future where they can thrive, equipped with the understanding and strategies to navigate both their strengths and weaknesses.

References

Margolis AE, Broitman J, Davis JM, Alexander L, Hamilton A, Liao Z, Banker S, Thomas L, Ramphal B, Salum GA, Merikangas K, Goldsmith J, Paus T, Keyes K, Milham MP. Estimated Prevalence of Nonverbal Learning Disability Among North American Children and Adolescents. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Apr 1;3(4):e202551. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.2551. PMID: 32275324; PMCID: PMC7148441.