Cognitive Assessment in Special Populations Flashcards

Which Wechsler version is specifically designed for the youngest special-population assessments (ages 2:6–7:7)?

Answer: WPPSI-IV

The WPPSI-IV covers preschool and early primary ages, useful for early developmental concerns.

An examinee with ADHD shows scattered subtest scores. The clinician should:

Answer: Examine index and subtest patterns for attention-related weaknesses

Profile analysis of indices (e.g., working memory, processing speed) can reveal attention-related difficulties.

For a gifted child, a possible measurement concern on standard subtests is:

Answer: Ceiling effects limiting how high ability can be measured

Ceiling effects occur when items are too easy to capture the full extent of high ability.

When assessing a child on the autism spectrum, rapport and clear structure matter because:

Answer: Social/communication differences can affect engagement and performance

Communication and social differences can depress scores if engagement is not supported.

A traumatic brain injury patient is best served by pairing the WAIS-IV with:

Answer: Memory and executive function tests like the WMS-IV

Co-administering memory and executive measures gives a fuller neuropsychological picture after TBI.

Which factor most threatens validity when testing a fatigued or medicated examinee?

Answer: State variables reducing performance below true ability

Fatigue or sedation can lower scores so they underestimate true cognitive ability.

Cross-battery assessment in special populations is used to:

Answer: Integrate subtests from multiple tests to cover specific cognitive abilities

Cross-battery approaches combine measures to assess targeted abilities more comprehensively.