Vlidity and Utility of WAIS-R and WISC-R Short Forms with Adolescents Recovering from Closed Head Injury

Abstract

The WISC-R and WAIS-R are frequently used to assess intellectual functioning of adolescents who have sustained closed head injuries (CHI). The purpose of this study was to determine if a select-subtest (Two of Four Subtest) or select-item short form could be used with this population to accurately determine level of intellectual ability. The WISC-R/WAIS-R was administered to sixty-one adolescents who had recently sustained a CHI. Protocols were then rescored according to short form guidelines. There were no differences between Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) scores obtained from the full and abbreviated administrations and the majority of cases were classified correctly according to the Wechsler classification scheme. However, significant differences emerged between subtest scores derived from the full and short form approach. The use of abbreviated administrations as a screening device was supported. Profile analysis based upon the selected item short form or the use of these measures for diagnostic or treatment purposes is not justified.