4 - Assessment of Mental Retardation with the WISC-III

Abstract

This chapter overviews the definition, etiology and the behavioral aspects of mental retardation (MR). Along with this, it also focuses on the use of the Wechsler intelligence scale for children-third edition (WISC-III) as an important assessment instrument in the complete evaluation of an individual with MR. Adaptive functioning along with the level of MR is also noteworthy in the classification of the individual. When a discrepancy between the IQ score and degree of adaptive deficit occurs, the clinician is required to administer alternative measures of intelligence or adaptive functioning to clarify the ability levels of the individual. The chapter also asserts that a diagnosis of MR can be undertaken only after careful interpretation of the entire clinical data structure, background information, history, intellectual and adaptive behavior measures, academic achievements, and several other factors appropriate to a particular individual. MR may exist concurrently with the other developmental deformities, mental, and neurological disabilities.