Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) short-form validity: A comparison study in pediatric epilepsy

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to investigate the accuracy of the WISC-IV short forms in estimating Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) and General Ability Index (GAI) in pediatric epilepsy.Methods: One hundred and four children with epilepsy completed the WISC-IV as part of a neuropsychological assessment at a tertiary-level children’s hospital. The clinical accuracy of eight short forms was assessed in two ways: (a) accuracy within +/− 5 index points of FSIQ and (b) the clinical classification rate according to Wechsler conventions. The sample was further subdivided into low FSIQ (≤ 80) and high FSIQ (> 80).Results: All short forms were significantly correlated with FSIQ. Seven-subtest (Crawford et al. [2010] FSIQ) and 5-subtest (BdSiCdVcLn) short forms yielded the highest clinical accuracy rates (77%–89%). Overall, a 2-subtest (VcMr) short form yielded the lowest clinical classification rates for FSIQ (35%–63%). The short form yielding the most accurate estimate of GAI was VcSiMrBd (73%–84%).Conclusions: Short forms show promise as useful estimates. The 7-subtest (Crawford et al., 2010) and 5-subtest (BdSiVcLnCd) short forms yielded the most accurate estimates of FSIQ. VcSiMrBd yielded the most accurate estimate of GAI. Clinical recommendations are provided for use of short forms in pediatric epilepsy.