Modified WAIS-R for patients with speech and/or hand dysfunction.

A feasibility study showed that the research edition of the modified WAIS-R for patients with speech and/or hand dysfunction has promise. Four Verbal Scale subtests and three Performance subtests of the modified WAIS-R were correlated with the standard version. The Verbal IQs of an experimental group (n = 16 severely physically handicapped) and Performance IQs of a control group (n = 32 able-bodied adults) on the two versions were not significantly different. In a comparison study of nonretarded patients with severe cerebral palsy (n = 14) or with spinal cord injury (n = 14), the spinal cord group's mean Verbal IQs and Performance IQs on the modified WAIS-R were significantly higher than those of the severe cerebral palsy group, but the difference was relatively larger for Performance IQs than Verbal IQs. Acquisition of motor dysfunction early in development (severe cerebral palsy) compared to later in development (spinal cord injury) may constrain nonverbal intelligence more than verbal intelligence.