Neuropsychologists have used the Wechsler Intelligence Scale to Children test for decades to determine the intellectual abilities, intelligence quotient (IQ), of children with special disabilities. This comprehensive test can take as long as 2 hours and many children with special disabilities have difficulty participating in these lengthy tests.
Researchers from the University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities identified repetitive measures in the test. This allowed them to shorten the test by as much as 20 minutes, while still ensuring accuracy in determining a child’s IQ.
John Lace, a doctoral candidate, said that neuropsychologists spend a lot of time with patients. This can be a lot, especially for children with neurological disorders like autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He is currently completing an internship in clinical neuroscience at the MU School of Health Professions. “If we can maximize the information we receive from our patients during the test without overburdening, we can save both time and money, which will reduce the burden on families with neurodevelopmental disorders.”
Neuropsychologists use Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children to diagnose individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and to inform treatment decisions and educational plans.
Lace stated, “Our goal is to help people understand cognitive or learning differences which can lead them to treatment options like behavioral therapy or interventions at schools.” “Neuropsychologists are at the forefront of academically and practically addressing these challenges to help clinicians streamline their work and positively impact patient care,” said Lace.
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Materials provided by University of Missouri-Columbia. Note: Content can be edited for style or length.