Psychometric testing
Introduction
Psychometric testing will generally be performed in an educational, private, or state-sponsored setting by psychologists or
neuropsychologists. Possible testing may include the tests described below.
IQ/Development Tests:
- Bayley Scales of Infant Development II - testing for infants from 2 months to 3 1/2 years. Contains motor, cognitive, and behavior rating scales. Validated and norm-referenced. Can be used on older children with very delayed abilities to describe their developmental status. This measure is not meant to estimate or predict IQ.
- Differential Ability Scales - Individually administered cognitive and achievement tests for lower preschool, upper preschool and school age children. Validated and norm-referenced and is a relatively quick test to perform. Correlates well with more detailed intelligence testing.
- Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence IV (WPPSI-IV) - For children from age 2 to approximately 7 years. Similar to the WISC (below), but used for younger children. Validated and norm-referenced. Gives verbal, performance, and full-scale IQ scores.
- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV (WISC-IV) - For children 6 to 16 years of age. Standardized and norm-referenced. Like the WPPSI-III, gives Verbal, Performance and Full-scale IQ scores.
- Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale Revised (WAIS-III) - For individuals 16 years of age throughout adulthood.
- Stanford- Binet Intelligence Scale: Fifth Edition - For children from 2 and up. The Fifth Edition has a scoring system similar to that of the Wechsler Tests and a "lower floor," improving the clinician's ability to assess individuals who may be low functioning and who may have communication issues.
- Leiter International Performance Scale Revised - a nonverbal test of intelligence and cognitive abilities. It is helpful in assessing individuals with communication and other developmental delays.
- NEPSY - a developmental neuropsychological assessment. It provides a comprehensive picture of a child's neuropsychological status which assesses the domains of attention and executive functioning; language and communication; sensorimotor functions; visual spatial functions; and learning and memory for children 3 to 12 years of age.
Adaptive Behavior Tests:
- Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale - A structured interview conducted with caregivers. For individuals with and without disabilities from birth to adulthood. Measures social skills, communication, daily living skills, motor skills, and maladaptive behavior.
- The American Association on Mental Retardation Adaptive Behavior Scale - Second Edition - This observational rating scale assesses behavior and social adjustment of individuals ages 3-21 years whose adaptive behavior suggests possible mental retardation, emotional issues, and learning problems.
Achievement Tests:
Generally, achievement tests measure specific skills and, when used in combination
with intelligence tests, allow the examiner to determine if academic functioning
is keeping pace and is commensurate with basic intelligence. They include the:
- Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement,
- Wide Range Achievement Test - III, and
- Wechsler Individualized Achievement Test - II.
Behavior Tests:
Behavioral checklists such as the:
- Conners' Rating Scales,
- Child Behavior Checklist, and
- Behavior Assessment System for Children
Resources
Information & Support
For Professionals
Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Online (dbpeds.org)
Copious developmental and behavioral information and tools for the pediatrician and other health professionals.