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Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children

Originally developed by David Wechsler in 1949, the third edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) was published in 1991. This standardized test is designed to measure children's (six to sixteen years of age) intellectual functioning in two broad areas. Verbal subtests require language skills similar to those used in schools, such as vocabulary and knowledge of general information. Performance subtests measure abstract reasoning in visual-motor abilities, such as constructing a puzzle.

Scores on the test consistently and accurately predict academic achievement. The WISC is one of the most commonly used tests for assessing a child's strengths and weaknesses in a variety of intellectual abilities. WISC scores can be used in conjunction with other information to diagnose learning difficulties. Although useful in diagnosis, the WISC does not provide information on intervention strategies.

See also: INTELLIGENCE

Bibliography

Groth-Marnat, Gary. Handbook of Psychological Assessment, 3rd edition. New York: Wiley, 1999.

Kaufman, Alan S. Intelligence Testing with the WISC-III. New York:Wiley, 1994.

Kaufman, Alan S., and Elizabeth O. Lichtenberger. Essentials of WISC-III and WPPSI-R Assessment. New York: Wiley, 2000.

Sattler, Jerome M. Assessment of Children, 4th edition. San Diego, CA: J. M. Sattler, 1992.

Jo Ellen Vespo

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