Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children-3rd Edition Research Articles

Critical windows of susceptibility in the association between manganese and neurocognition in Italian adolescents living near ferro-manganese industry

IntroductionUnderstanding the neurodevelopmental effects of manganese (Mn) is complicated due to its essentiality for growth and development. While evidence exists for the harmful effects of excess Mn, pediatric epidemiologic studies have observed inconsistent associations between Mn and child cognition. ObjectiveWe sought to estimate prospective associations between Mn measured in three different early-life time windows with adolescent cognition using deciduous teeth biomarkers. MethodsDeciduous teeth were collected from 195 participants (ages 10–14 years) of the Public Health Impact of Manganese Exposure (PHIME) study in Brescia, Italy. Measurements of tooth Mn represented prenatal (∼14 weeks gestation – birth), early postnatal (birth – 1.5 years) and childhood (∼1.5 – 6 years) time windows. Neuropsychologists administered the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 3rd edition (WISC-III), to obtain composite IQ and subtest scores. Associations between tooth Mn at each time window and adolescent WISC-III scores were estimated using multivariable linear regression. We tested differences in associations between Mn and outcomes across time windows using multiple informant models. Sex-specific associations were explored in stratified models. ResultsAdjusted associations between tooth Mn and composite IQ scores were positive in the prenatal period and negative in the childhood period. Associations were strongest for subtest scores that reflect working memory, problem solving, visuospatial ability and attention: prenatal Mn was positively associated with Digits backward [SD change in score per interquartile range increase in Mn: β = 0.20 (95 % CI: 0.02, 0.38)] and Block design [β = 0.21 (0.01, 0.41)] and early postnatal Mn was positively associated with Digits forward [β = 0.24 (0.09, 0.40)], while childhood Mn was negatively associated with Coding [β = -0.14 (-0.28, -0.001)]. Sex-stratified analyses suggested different Mn-cognition associations for boys and girls and was also dependent on the time window of exposure. ConclusionOur results suggest that exposure timing is critical when evaluating Mn associations between Mn and cognition. Higher prenatal Mn was beneficial for adolescent cognition; however, these beneficial associations shifted towards harmful effects in later time windows. Cognitive domains most sensitive to Mn across time windows included visuospatial ability, working memory, attention and problem-solving.

Comparison of cognitive function, socioeconomic level, and the health-related quality of life between epileptic patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and without

BackgroundEpilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with epilepsy proves to be very common. Both epilepsy and ADHD impair quality of life. We aimed to evaluate cognitive function, socioeconomic level, and quality of life (QOL) among children with ADHD and epilepsy. A total of 100 children were divided into 5 groups (20 children/group) as (I) epilepsy, (II) ADHD with epilepsy, (III) ADHD with EEG changes, (IV) ADHD without EEG changes, and (V) control. Children aged between 6 and 11 years were recruited for this study. Early Childhood Epilepsy Severity Scale (E-Chess), Conners’ Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-3rd edition (WISC-III), socioeconomic scale for assessment of social burden and socioeconomic classes, and PedsQL (quality of life measure) assessed.ResultsChildren with ADHD and epilepsy had the lowest PedsQL total scores and lower scores than other groups especially in performance IQ score. The highest percentage of low socioeconomic class (25%) was observed in the group of ADHD with epilepsy and the group of epilepsy.ConclusionADHD with epilepsy is associated with low performance IQ, poor socioeconomic level, and quality of life. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory scores show significant correlation with total IQ score in the group of ADHD with epilepsy.

Association between prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides and the intelligence at 7 years old children

TPS 731: Neurological effects in children, Exhibition Hall, Ground floor, August 26, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are environmental contaminants that persist in the environment, and previous studies have shown associations between prenatal OCP exposure and subsequent neurodevelopment. However, it is still not clear how long this association could be prolonged. A prospective birth cohort study was conducted to examine the associations between prenatal OCP exposure and intelligence at 7 years children. Blood samples were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques to quantify 29 OCPs. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 3rd edition (WISC-III) was used to assess intelligence of children, which provided Verbal IQ (VIQ), Performance IQ (PIQ), and Full Scale IQ (FIQ). The test also has four subscales to represent more narrow domains of cognitive functions. We analyzed data from 95 singleton children without congenital anomalies, and who had both maternal OCP levels and WISC-III data. After multiple regression analysis adjusted by maternal age, education, parity, blood sampling period, children sex, we found OCPs had negative association with FIQ and PIQ, and positive association with VIQ. When prenatal total dioxin TEQ level was added to adjustment, however, positive associations between OCPs and VIQ disappeared, and negative association between FIQ and p.p’-DDD (β= -10.8: 95% Confidence Interval: -18.6 -2.9), p.p’-DDT (-19.26: -31.4 -7.1), and between PIQ and p.p’-DDD (-10.8: -18.6 -2.9), p.p’-DDT (-19.3: -31.4 -7.1) were remained. In the same analysis for subscale, the Perceptual Organization Index decreased with p.p’-DDD (-12.2: -20.2 -4.3), p.p’-DDT (-22.4: -34.6 -10.2), and Parlar-26 (-11.2: -21.7 -0.7). Additionally, Freedom from Distractibility Index, which reflects attention or working memory, decreased with p.p’-DDD level (-8.8: -16.8 -0.8). Although careful consideration is needed regarding other influential factors, and causal relationship between prenatal exposure to low-level OCPs and cognitive function of school aged children, prenatal OCP level may have prolonged effect on the children’s intelligence, especially perception, and attention or working memory.

Cognitive function in children with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Studies of cognitive function in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are few and controversial. This study aimed to investigate general intelligence and specific cognitive functions in children with salt wasting (SW) form of CAH and their relationship to demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables. This study included 36 children with classic 21 hydroxylase deficiency SW type of CAH (males = 12; females = 24; mean age = 15.6 ± 2.3years). Intelligence quotient (IQ) and cognition were assessed using Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 3rd edition (WISC-III) and Stanford Binet Subsets Test version 4 (SBST4). Compared to controls, patients had lower mean full-scale (FS) IQ (P = 0.01) score, particularly performance IQ score (P = 0.001), and comprehension, pattern analysis, quantitation, bead memory, and memory for sentences of SBST4 (P = 0.05, P = 0.014, P = 0.001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.05, respectively). Lower IQ was observed in poorly controlled compared with well-controlled patients on medical treatment. Significant correlations were observed between FSIQ with age (r = - 0.810; P = 0.001), duration of treatment (r = - 0.887; P = 0.01), dose of glucocorticoids (r = - 0.463; P = 0.01), 17-OHP (r = - 0.543; P = 0.01) and testosterone (r = - 0.462; P = - 0.006) levels, and number of hyponatremic episodes (r = - 0.350; P = 0.05). In multivariate analysis, the independent risks of low FSIQ were the dose of glucocorticoids (OR = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.08-1.23, P = 0.0001), 17-OHP levels (OR = 2.25; 95% CI = 1.19-2.85, P = 0.01), and number of hyponatremic episodes (OR = 4.34; 95% CI = 2.05-5.15, P = 0.01).Conclusion: Patients with SW form of CAH may have lower IQ and cognitive deficits which may be related to the dose of glucocorticoids, androgen excess, and number of hyponatremic episodes. What is Known: • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of inherited impairment of cortisol biosynthesis. • Studies of cognitive function in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are few and controversial. What is New: • Children with CAH may have lower intelligent quotient (IQ) and cognitive deficits. • Early hyponatremic episodes, overtreatment with glucocorticoids, and high androgen levels may be possible causative factors for the cognitive deficits.

Effects of Maternal Iodine Nutrition and Thyroid Status on Cognitive Development in Offspring: A Pilot Study.

Maternal iodine nutrition and thyroid status may influence neurocognitive development in offspring. This study investigated the effects on the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children born to mothers with different levels of iodine supplementation, with or without the administration of levothyroxine (LT4), prior to and during pregnancy. This pilot, prospective, observational study included four study groups, each comprising 15 mother-child pairs, identified on the basis of maternal histories of iodized salt consumption and LT4 treatment prior to and during pregnancy. The groups were labeled as follows: iodine (I), no iodine (no-I), iodine + LT4 (I + T4), and no iodine + LT4 (no-I + T4). IQ tests were administered to children at 6-12 years of age with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-3rd Edition (WISC-III), with full-scale IQ (FSIQ), verbal IQ (VIQ), and performance IQ (PIQ) being evaluated. Children of I and I + T4 mothers had similar verbal, performance, and FSIQs, which were 14, 10, and 13 points higher, respectively, than children born to no-I and no-I + T4 mothers. A positive association was found between VIQ and maternal urinary iodine (β = 1.023 [confidence interval (CI) 1.003-1.043]; p = 0.028), but not with maternal free thyroxine concentrations at any stage of pregnancy. Overall, the prevalence of borderline or defective cognitive function was more than threefold higher in the children of mothers not using iodized salt than of those mothers using it (76.9% vs. 23.1%, odds ratio 7.667 [CI 2.365-24.856], χ2 = 12.65; p = 0.0001). Neuro-intellectual outcomes in children appear to be more dependent on their mothers' nutritional iodine status than on maternal thyroid function. These results support the growing body of evidence that prenatal, mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency adversely affects cognitive development later in life, with a seemingly greater impact on verbal abilities.

Inteligência: efeito do tipo de escola e implicaçõesna normatização das escalas wechsler para crianças

The individual’s intellectual ability is related to several factors, including socioeconomic status. The presente study aimed to compare the performance of children in public and private schools on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – 3rd edition (WISC-III) in 296 children between 6 and 9 years old. The results showed superior performance of private school students in specifi c subtests and general indexes, with statistically signifi cant differences between age groups. A larger effect on verbal subtests was checked, since these are associated with formal learning experiences. Overall differences remained over the age groups, except for the Picture Completion Coding and Search Symbols subtests. These latter differences were observed only at 6 and 7 years old. This study points to the importance of the differences between types of schools on performance in cognitive tasks, which should be considered in the standardization of instruments such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scales

Psychometric properties of the Test of Everyday Attention for Children in Greek-speaking school children

The present study aimed at exploring the psychometric properties of the Test of Everyday Attention for Children (TEA-Ch) in normally developing Greek-speaking school population (6–12 years old). TEA-Ch is an assessment that captures the multidimensional nature of the developing attentional system with child-friendly test tasks. The sample consisted of 174 Greek-speaking primary school children of both genders (N = 88 girls). Children were assessed individually using the TEA-Ch and two tasks (Vocabulary and Working Memory) from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-3rd edition (WISC-III)-Greek Version. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine the factorial validity of the TEA-Ch in the Greek-speaking population. The results verified both a two-factor (attentional control/switching and sustained attention) and a theory-driven three-factor structure of the TEA-Ch, namely selective attention, attentional control/switching and sustained attention. Moreover, the weak correlations of TEA-Ch tasks with vocabulary and working memory tasks provide evidence for its divergent validity and its usefulness as an additional measure of abilities that are not captured by well-known conventional intelligence tasks. Furthermore, TEA-Ch appears to be an age-sensitive assessment tool.

Longitudinal processing speed impairments in males with autism and the effects of white matter microstructure

The present study used an accelerated longitudinal design to examine group differences and age-related changes in processing speed in 81 individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to 56 age-matched individuals with typical development (ages 6–39 years). Processing speed was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-3rd edition (WISC-III) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-3rd edition (WAIS-III). Follow-up analyses examined processing speed subtest performance and relations between processing speed and white matter microstructure (as measured with diffusion tensor imaging [DTI] in a subset of these participants). After controlling for full scale IQ, the present results show that processing speed index standard scores were on average 12 points lower in the group with ASD compared to the group with typical development. There were, however, no significant group differences in standard score age-related changes within this age range. For subtest raw scores, the group with ASD demonstrated robustly slower processing speeds in the adult versions of the IQ test (i.e., WAIS-III) but not in the child versions (WISC-III), even though age-related changes were similar in both the ASD and typically developing groups. This pattern of results may reflect difficulties that become increasingly evident in ASD on more complex measures of processing speed. Finally, DTI measures of whole-brain white matter microstructure suggested that fractional anisotropy (but not mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity, or axial diffusivity) made significant but small-sized contributions to processing speed standard scores across our entire sample. Taken together, the present findings suggest that robust decreases in processing speed may be present in ASD, more pronounced in adulthood, and partially attributable to white matter microstructural integrity.

Maternal Body Mass Index during Pregnancy and Offspring Neurocognitive Development.

This hypothesis generating study explores second trimester maternal body mass index (BMI) during pregnancy and offspring neurocognitive development. Mothers and offspring served as controls in two earlier studies: 101 children at age two years and 118 children at age eight years. Frequency of maternal BMI ≥30 kg/m2 increased from 10% in 1987-1990 to 30% in 2004-2006 (P < 0.001); the socioeconomic gradient became more pronounced. At age two, one or more BSID-III (Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 3rd Edition) scores <85 were more frequent with higher maternal BMI (P = 0.029); regression analysis suggested an inverse relationship between language scores and BMI (P = 0.054). Among eight-year-olds, one or more WISC-III (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 3rd edition) scores <85 increased with maternal BMI (P = 0.017); regression analysis showed an inverse relationship between performance subscale IQ score and BMI (P = 0.023). Second trimester maternal obesity may be an independent risk factor for some aspects of children's neurocognitive development. Further study is indicated.

Improving Visual Memory, Attention, and School Function with Atomoxetine in Boys with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Atomoxetine is efficacious in reducing symptoms of attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but its effect on visual memory and attention needs more investigation. This study aimed to assess the effect of atomoxetine on visual memory, attention, and school function in boys with ADHD in Taiwan. This was an open-label 12 week atomoxetine treatment trial among 30 drug-naíve boys with ADHD, aged 8-16 years. Before administration of atomoxetine, the participants were assessed using psychiatric interviews, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 3rd edition (WISC-III), the school function of the Chinese version of the Social Adjustment Inventory for Children and Adolescents (SAICA), the Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT), and the tasks of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) involving visual memory and attention: Pattern Recognition Memory, Spatial Recognition Memory, and Reaction Time, which were reassessed at weeks 4 and 12. Our results showed there was significant improvement in pattern recognition memory and spatial recognition memory as measured by the CANTAB tasks, sustained attention and response inhibition as measured by the CPT, and reaction time as measured by the CANTAB after treatment with atomoxetine for 4 weeks or 12 weeks. In addition, atomoxetine significantly enhanced school functioning in children with ADHD. Our findings suggested that atomoxetine was associated with significant improvement in visual memory, attention, and school functioning in boys with ADHD.

Neuropsychological Measures of Attention and Impulse Control among 8-Year-Old Children Exposed Prenatally to Organochlorines

Background: We previously reported associations between organochlorines and behaviors related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among boys and girls at 8 years of age using a teacher’s rating scale for a birth cohort in New Bedford, Massachusetts (USA).Objectives: Our goal was to corroborate these findings using neuropsychological measures of inattentive and impulsive behaviors.Methods: We investigated the association between cord serum polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and p,p´-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (p,p´-DDE) and attention and impulse control using a Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and components of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 3rd edition (WISC-III). Participants came from a prospective cohort of children born during 1993–1998 to mothers residing near a PCB-contaminated harbor in New Bedford. Median (range) cord serum levels for the sum of four prevalent PCBs [congeners 118, 138, 153, and 180 (ΣPCB4)] and p,p´-DDE were 0.19 (0.01–2.59) and 0.31 (0–14.93) ng/g serum, respectively.Results: We detected associations between PCBs and neuropsychological deficits for 578 and 584 children with CPT and WISC-III measures, respectively, but only among boys. For example, boys with higher exposure to ΣPCB4 had a higher rate of CPT errors of omission [rate ratio for the exposure interquartile range (IQR) = 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98, 1.27] and slower WISC-III Processing Speed (change in score for the IQR = –2.0; 95% CI: –3.5, –0.4). Weaker associations were found for p,p´-DDE. For girls, associations were in the opposite direction for the CPT and null for the WISC-III.Conclusions: These results support an association between organochlorines (mainly PCBs) and neuropsychological measures of attention among boys only. Sex-specific effects should be considered in studies of organochlorines and neurodevelopment.

Executive functions as endophenotypes in ADHD: evidence from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Battery (CANTAB)

Little is known about executive functions among unaffected siblings of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and there is lack of such information from non-Western countries. We examined verbal and nonverbal executive functions in adolescents with ADHD, unaffected siblings and controls to test whether executive functions could be potential endophenotypes for ADHD. We assessed 279 adolescents (age range: 11-17 years) with a childhood diagnosis of DSM-IV ADHD, 136 biological siblings (108 unaffected, 79.4%), and 173 unaffected controls by using psychiatric interviews, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - 3rd edition (WISC-III), including digit spans, and the tasks involving executive functions of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB): Intra-dimensional/Extra-dimensional Shifts (IED), Spatial Span (SSP), Spatial Working Memory (SWM), and Stockings of Cambridge (SOC). Compared with the controls, adolescents with ADHD and unaffected siblings had a significantly shorter backward digit span, more extra-dimensional shift errors in the IED, shorter spatial span length in the SSP, more total errors and poorer strategy use in the SWM, and fewer problems solved in the minimum number of moves and shorter initial thinking time in the SOC. The magnitudes of the differences in the SWM and SOC increased with increased task difficulties. In general, neither persistent ADHD nor comorbidity was associated with increased deficits in executive functions among adolescents with ADHD. The lack of much difference in executive dysfunctions between unaffected siblings and ADHD adolescents suggests that executive dysfunctions may be useful cognitive endophenotypes for ADHD genetic studies.

Deficits in interval timing measured by the dual‐task paradigm among children and adolescents with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder

The underlying mechanism of time perception deficit in long time intervals in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is still unclear. This study used the time reproduction dual task to explore the role of the attentional resource in time perception deficits among children and adolescents with ADHD. Participants included 168 children and adolescents with DSM-IV ADHD and 90 control children and adolescents without ADHD, aged 10 to 17 years, in Taipei. The DSM-IV diagnoses of ADHD and other psychiatric comorbid conditions were made by clinical assessments and confirmed by the psychiatric interviews of both parents and participants using the Chinese Kiddie Epidemiologic version of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia. The participants were also assessed by using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-3(rd) edition (WISC-III), and time reproduction tasks (the single task and the simple and difficult versions of the dual tasks) at 5-second, 12-second, and 17-second intervals. The linear mixed model was used for data analysis. Children and adolescents with ADHD had less precise time reproduction than the controls in all three tasks except the 5-second interval of the single task. There were significant interactions between group and interval (12-second vs. 5-second, p = .030; 17-second vs. 5-second, p < .001), and between group and task (simple dual task vs. single task, p = .016; difficult dual task vs. single task, p < .001) after controlling for FSIQ, comorbidity, sex, age, use of methylphenidate, and the performance of the non-temporal tasks in dual tasks, if relevant. Significantly increased estimation errors in ADHD with increased task difficulties suggest that impaired timing processing in children and adolescents with ADHD during long time intervals may be accounted for by the limited attentional capacity rather than a primary problem in timing per se. This finding does not apply to rapid time intervals, in which cerebellar circuitry is important.

Correlation between brain activity during delayed matching task and verbal IQ in healthy children

The present study used an accelerated longitudinal design to examine group differences and age-related changes in processing speed in 81 individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to 56 age-matched individuals with typical development (ages 6–39 years). Processing speed was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-3rd edition (WISC-III) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-3rd edition (WAIS-III). Follow-up analyses examined processing speed subtest performance and relations between processing speed and white matter microstructure (as measured with diffusion tensor imaging [DTI] in a subset of these participants). After controlling for full scale IQ, the present results show that processing speed index standard scores were on average 12 points lower in the group with ASD compared to the group with typical development. There were, however, no significant group differences in standard score age-related changes within this age range. For subtest raw scores, the group with ASD demonstrated robustly slower processing speeds in the adult versions of the IQ test (i.e., WAIS-III) but not in the child versions (WISC-III), even though age-related changes were similar in both the ASD and typically developing groups. This pattern of results may reflect difficulties that become increasingly evident in ASD on more complex measures of processing speed. Finally, DTI measures of whole-brain white matter microstructure suggested that fractional anisotropy (but not mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity, or axial diffusivity) made significant but small-sized contributions to processing speed standard scores across our entire sample. Taken together, the present findings suggest that robust decreases in processing speed may be present in ASD, more pronounced in adulthood, and partially attributable to white matter microstructural integrity.

Cognitive Development at Age 8 Years in Very Low Birth Weight Children in Taiwan

All children should have some developmental screening periodically throughout childhood, especially those who were born prematurely. There is limited information about the development of children with very low birth weight (VLBW; birth weight < 1500 g) beyond the preschool age in Taiwan. We evaluated intelligence quotient (IQ) and cognitive ability of prematurely born school-aged children in Taiwan. This was a multicenter study of VLBW and full-term children born between 1995 and 1997 at four hospitals in northern Taiwan. We used the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 3rd Edition (WISC-III), to assess these children. Demographic data were recorded including maternal and paternal age, education, birth weight, gestational age, and gender. A total of 189 children (130 with VLBW born prematurely and 59 born at full term) were recruited. There were significant differences in performance IQ (PIQ; 90.16 +/- 17.05 vs. 108.51 +/- 15.65, p < 0.001), verbal IQ (VIQ; 97.43 +/- 15.62 vs. 111.78 +/- 13.65, p < 0.001), full-scale IQ (FSIQ; 93.14 +/- 16.33 vs. 111.05 +/- 14.81, p < 0.001), verbal comprehension index score (VCIS; 98.06 +/- 15.53 vs. 112.47 +/- 13.74, p < 0.001), perceptional organization index score (POIS; 92.39 +/- 17.13 vs. 109.42 +/- 14.87, p < 0.001) and freedom from distractibility index score (FDIS; 98.34 +/- 17.71 vs. 110.53 +/- 10.94, p = 0.008). There was no correlation between perinatal outcomes and FSIQ. Our results suggest that VLBW children have significantly lower PIQ, VIQ, FSIQ, VCIS, POIS and FDIS at primary school compared with full-term children.

Manic Symptoms and Behavioral Dysregulation in Youth with Velocardiofacial Syndrome (22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome)

Mania and bipolar disorder have been reported in adolescents and adults with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS; also known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome). Children with VCFS have a high prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which may constitute a risk factor for the eventual development of bipolar disorder in this population. Therefore, we sought to determine whether children with VCFS exhibit more manic symptoms than community controls that also may have learning disorders and ADHD. The study population consisted of 86 children with VCFS and 36 community controls from ages 9 to 15 years, using measures of Young Mania Rating Scale-Parent Version, Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-3rd edition (WISC-III). The results indicate that manic symptoms were not more prevalent in VCFS than in a community sample of children with learning disorders and ADHD. However, after accounting for symptoms of depression and ADHD, we found that manic symptoms in VCFS predicted uniquely to scores on four Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) subscales, including anxiety, somatization, thought, and conduct problems. In contrast, manic symptoms in controls predicted uniquely to conduct problems only. Accordingly, our findings of severe behavioral impairment in youth with VCFS and manic symptoms suggest that these children may warrant more intensive monitoring and treatment relative to youth with VCFS and ADHD only.

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Ability, Academic Achievement, and School Functioning in Adolescence: A Longitudinal Follow-Up

Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with learning, behavioral, and academic problems even in children without the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). To examine the prenatal alcohol exposure and ability, academic achievement, and school functioning in adolescence. In a longitudinal cohort, intelligence, academic performance, and school functioning were evaluated in 265 low socioeconomic status (SES) adolescents (M age = 15.1 years), 128 prenatally exposed to alcohol, 53 controls, and 84 special education students by using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 3rd edition (WISC-III) and the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT). School records were abstracted for grade point averages (GPA), standardized achievement test scores, conduct, attendance, and special education placement. Alcohol-affected youth had significantly lower IQs than those in the other three groups. Although academic achievement (WIAT scores) was most impaired in the special education group who showed lower performance over all as well as in reading and spelling, alcohol-affected youth showed significant deficits on mathematics subtests. There was no increased incidence of conduct problems in school records related to alcohol exposure.

Validity of the TONI-2 with deaf and hard of hearing children.

The test of Nonverbal Intelligence, 2nd edition (TONI-2) is a quick, practical measure of cognitive functioning. Its concurrent, construct, and predictive validity as an instrument and its utility with deaf and hard of hearing children were explored in this study. Results obtained from research with 27 deaf and hard of hearing children of elementary school age indicated a positive, moderate correlation between the TONI-2 IQ and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 3rd edition (WISC-III), Performance IQ, supporting concurrent validity. Construct validity was established by significant correlations between the TONI-2 and five of six WISC-III subtests. The TONI-2 had predictive value for Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) spelling and mathematical problem-solving and reasoning tasks.

A Comparison of WISC-III and OLSAT-6 for the Identification of Gifted Students

The entire cohort of grade 3 students in a Canadian urban school board was screened in the school years 1991-1992,1992-1993 and 1993-1994 to identify gifted students. All 2,306 students look the Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test-6th Edition (OLSAT-6), after which 261 students also took the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-3rd Edition (WISC-III). Based on the WISC-III scores, 2.3% of the population were identified as gifted at the 98th percentile or higher, whereas 2.6% scored at the 97th percentile or higher and 3.7% at the 96th percentile or higher. An equivalent number of boys and girls were identified as gifted with WISC-III. In contrast, using the OLSAT-6 alone, only 1.2% of the population would be identified as gifted at the 98th percentile or higher, 1.7% would be identified at the 97th percentile or higher, and 2.2% would be identified at the 96th percentile or higher. The correlation between WISC-III and OLSAT-6 for students scoring at the 98th percentile or higher on the WISC-III was .39 in this small sample of students having a restricted range of scores on both tests. Discrepancies between WISC-III Verbal and Performance IQ scores and between OLSAT-6 Verbal and Nonverbal Scaled Scores for gifted students are presented. When used alone, the OLSAT-6 does not appear to be an effective screener for grade 3 students who will score in the gifted range on WISC-III. Un dépistage de tous les élèves de 3ième année d'un conseil scolaire urbain et canadien était fait pendant les années scolaires de 1991-1992, de 1992-1993 et de 1993-1994, afin d'identifier les enfants surdoués. Tous les 2,306 élèves ont subi l'épreuve des habiletés scolaires Otis-Lennon, 6ième édition (OLSAT-6). Ensuite, 261 de ces élèves ont subi l'échelle d'intelligence Wechsler pour enfants, 3ième edition (WISC-III). Les résultats obtenus sur le WISC-III suggèrent que 2.3% de la population se situent all rang Trés Supérieur, c'est-à-dire, au moins au 98ème rang centile, que 2.6% ont obtenu les scores au moins au 97ème rang centile et que 3.7% se situent au moins au 96ème rang centile. Un nombre équivalent de garçons et filles ont été identifiés comme sourdoués au WISC-III. En comparaison, quand l'OLSAT-6 a été utilisé uniquement, seulement 1.2% des élèves ont rencontré les critères d'identification comme surdoué au 98ième rang centile ou supérieur, 1.7% serait identifié comme tel au 97ème rang centile ou supérieur, et 2.2% serait identifié au 96ème rang centile ou supérieur. La corrélation entre le WISC-III et l'OLSAT-6 pour les élèves qui ont obtenu les scores au 98ème rang centile ou supérieur au WISK-III a été .39 pour cet échantillon petit des élèves ayant une gamme restreinte de scores sur les deux épreuves. La divergence entre les scores obtenus sur les échelles verbales et non-verbales du WISC-III et aussi entre ceux obtenus sur les échelles verbales et non-verbales de l'OLSAT-6 pour les élèves identifiés comme surdoués est presentée. Quand utilisé uniquement, l'OLSAT-6 ne paraît pas éfficace pour dépister les élèves au niveau de la 3ième année qui obtiendraient les scores au rang Trés Supérieur sur le WISC-III.