Overview
The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV; Wechsler, 2012) is an individually administered, norm-referenced instrument for assessing the intelligence of children aged 2 years, 6 months through 7 years, 7 months. The WPPSI-IV includes short, game-like tasks that engage young children. Scores yielded include a Full Scale IQ, as well as three Index scores (Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial, and Working Memory) for children up to 3 years, 11 months; and five Index scores (Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial, Fluid Reasoning, Working Memory, Processing Speed) for children 4 years through 7 years, 7 months. Ancillary subtests may be given to obtain additional scores for Vocabulary Acquisition, Nonverbal, and General Ability (for all ages) and Cognitive Proficiency (for older children). The WPPSI-IV can be scored manually or using the Q-global Scoring and Reporting System. Compared to its predecessor, the WPPSI-IV is a substantial improvement (Soares, & McCrimmon, 2013). The newer version has omitted four of the original subtests, added five new subtests, and modified the contents of the five subtests that were retained (Watkins, 2013).
Summary
Age: 2 years 6 months to 7 years 7 months
Time to Administer: 30-45 minutes (ages 2:6-3:11). 45-60 minutes (ages 4:0-7:7)
Method of Administration: Individually administered norm-referenced measure of intelligence
Yields standard scores (M = 100, SD = 15), subtest scaled
scores (M = 10, SD = 3), percentile ranks, confidence intervals
Subscales: Overall Composite Score: Full Scale IQ
Primary Index Scores: Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial, ( Fluid Reasoning, Working Memory, Processing Speed
Ancillary Index Scores: Vocabulary Acquisition, Nonverbal, General Ability (Ages 2:6 -3:11); Vocabulary Acquisition, Nonverbal, General Ability, Cognitive Proficiency (Ages 4:0- 7:7)
Autism Related Research
Gerber (2015)
Age Range: 2:6-3:11
Sample Size: 50, 2:6-3:11 years old (25 with ASD and 25 without)
Topics Addressed:
Utility of WPPSI-IV in assessing preschoolers with ASD
Outcome:Gerber (2015)
Preschoolers whose ADOS scores exceeded clinical cut-off (i.e., the ASD group) performed better on some language tests than others (Picture Naming [lexical knowledge] > Information [real-world context knowledge]). This pattern predicted group membership (ASD/no ASD) with 71-73% accuracy. Though the WPPSI-IV (or any cognitive test) is not diagnostic of autism, the author concluded that the WPPSI-IV may be useful in the process for young children suspected of ASD in terms of corroborating other assessment findings, as well as understanding their unique abilities.